Mahatma Gandhi's longest fasts lasted 21 days. He undertook a total of 18 fasts throughout India's freedom movement.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, widely known as Mahatma Gandhi and informally revered as The Father of the Nation in India, utilized fasting as a profound and powerful element of his philosophy. This practice was a strategic non-violent weapon, deeply embedded in his principles of Ahimsa and Satyagraha.
Gandhi's fasts were more than personal acts; they were public demonstrations aimed at achieving specific political and social goals, often drawing significant attention to his causes. His approach to fasting was rooted in:
- Ahimsa (Non-violence): Fasting served as a way to exert moral and spiritual pressure without resorting to physical force or aggression. It was a form of self-suffering that aimed to awaken the conscience of those he opposed or sought to influence.
- Satyagraha (Truth-force/Non-violent resistance): As an integral part of Satyagraha, fasts were meant to highlight injustice, appeal to the moral sense of oppressors, and inspire solidarity among followers. They were a means of self-purification and a call for collective action based on truth and righteousness.
While he undertook 18 fasts over his lifetime during the struggle for India's independence, the 21-day fasts stand out as the most extended periods he endured. These prolonged fasts underscored the intensity of his commitment and his unwavering resolve in the face of political and social challenges.
