The first hunger strike (fast) undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi in India, in 1918, was in connection with the:

Mahatma Gandhi undertook his first hunger strike (fast) in India in March 1918, in connection with the Ahmedabad mill strike.

Background:

• In 1917-1918, the workers of the cotton textile mills of Ahmedabad were demanding higher wages.
• During the plague epidemic of 1917, the mill owners had given the workers a "plague bonus" of up to 70-80 per cent of their wages, to stop them from leaving the city.
• When the epidemic ended, the mill owners wanted to withdraw the bonus.
• The workers demanded a 50 per cent increase in wages because of the sharp rise in prices during the First World War, while the mill owners offered only 20 per cent.

Gandhi's role:

• Gandhi was asked to intervene by Anasuya Sarabhai, a social worker, whose brother, Ambalal Sarabhai, was one of the leading mill owners and the president of the Mill Owners' Association.
• Gandhi advised the workers to go on a peaceful strike, and to demand a 35 per cent increase in wages.
• As the strike continued, the workers began to lose heart.
• To strengthen the workers' resolve, Gandhi went on a fast (hunger strike) on 15 March 1918.
• His fast also put pressure on the mill owners.

Outcome:

• After three days, the mill owners agreed to submit the issue to an arbitration tribunal.
• The tribunal later awarded the workers a 35 per cent increase in wages.

NCERT on Ahmedabad:

NCERT notes that in 1918, Gandhiji went to Ahmedabad to organise a satyagraha movement amongst cotton mill workers.

Significance:

• It was one of the early movements of Gandhi in India, along with Champaran and Kheda.
• It led to the formation of the Textile Labour Association (Majoor Mahajan Sangh) in Ahmedabad (1920), with Anasuya Sarabhai as its president; it is one of the oldest trade unions in India.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Kheda, Champaran and Rowlatt Satyagrahas did not involve this first fast.