Gandhi Roleplay Script

Part 3

Characters Students
Gokhale Roshan
Gandhi Rathish
British chief Mohit
British Governor Ashwin
Lord Edward Irwin V.S. Sabharish
British Officer Rohan Saju
Lord Willingdon Lingesh
Koumudi Sandya
Crowd person Tasleem
Prabhakar Rohaan Kishore
Principal of the school Joel
Ashramite 1 Chaheel
Ashramite 2 Dharshini
Zamindar S.S. Sabharish
Boy Raja Vikram
Boy 2 Praneet
Viscount Louis Mountbatten Sanjay
Council member 1 Dhuruvan
Council member 2 Pugazhenthi
Council Head Pragadeesh
 Narrator 1 Mrithyunjayan
Narrator 2 Soundarya
Narrator 3 Sofia
Narrator 4 Narayana
Narrator 5 Varsha
Narrator 6 Tejeshwar

Narrator 1: - After spending 20 long years in South Africa, Gandhi reached India to serve his
motherland. Gandhi said that the Indian National Congress was formed but its functioning
was not effective, so he joined the Congress as a clerk to understand it’s working.

Gokhale: - I want you to promise that you would not express yourself on public questions for
a year.

Narrator 2: - Gandhi toured the country during which he visited Madurai too. When he
addressed the public there, he observed that most of the people were not properly dressed.

Gandhi: - I am going to wear a dress made in loin cloth till every Indian has enough clothing
to wear.

Narrator 3: - After 1 year of wandering, Gandhi settled down on the banks of river
Sabarmati, where he found an ashram called Satyagraha Ashram.

Narrator 4: - In the summer of 1917, he went to the Indigo - growing district of Champaran
and took up the cause of tenants against the European planters. The British insisted on
increasing the tax while the farmers struggled to pull through the devastating famine.
Gandhi organized the farmers of Champaran and Kheda in successful rebellions against
oppressive tax policies levied by the British. Gandhi was arrested.

British Chief: - You have to leave the province right now or we will have to kill you right
now.

Narrator 5: - Thousands of people protested outside the jail, police stations and courts
demanding his release. As the protest intensified, the court released Gandhi. After release
Gandhi led protests against the landlords. After these protests, the government finally
signed the agreement which satisfied the farmers. During these days, Gandhi was addressed
as Bapu (Father).

Narrator 6: - The British government passed a new rule called Rowlatt act in 1918, under
which the government had emergency powers to deal with so-called revolutionary activities.
Indians revolted against the Rowlatt act. A demonstration against the act resulted in the
Jallianwala Bagh massacre of civilians by the British. This angered the Indian public who
resorted to acts of violence. Gandhi criticized the actions of the British and the Indians too.

Narrator 1: - When the British government failed to make commands, Gandhi started the
non-cooperation movement as his weapon against the British. Satyagraha spread through
India, gaining millions of followers. This movement started from September 1920 and went
on till February 1922. He was arrested but the British were forced to release him.
Rabindranath Tagore gave the title Mahatma (Great soul) to Gandhi.

Narrator 2: - In December 1921, Gandhi was given complete control of the Indian National
Congress. Under his leadership the congress was reorganized with the goal of Swaraj. He
expanded the nonviolence platform and included it in the Swadeshi policy - the boycott of
foreign made goods (especially British). He advocated the usage of Khadi.
Gandhi: - I want every tailor to spin Khadi instead of British textiles in support of the
independence movement. I want every woman to take part in the independence movement
and voice out their opinions. I want the people of India to stop British goods, jobs and stop
sending your children to the British Educational Institute.

Narrator 3: - After hearing Gandhi’s words, Rabindranath Tagore resigned the title Knight
from the British, Nehru and his family stopped western style clothing, jobs and lifestyle.
Wearing clothes spun out of Khadi, Nehru emerged as one of the most energetic supporters
of Gandhi.

Narrator 4: - Non-cooperation enjoyed wide-spread appeal and success with good

participation from all Strata of Indian society but ended abruptly as it took a violent turn.

Gandhi: - If this non-cooperation movement has to be violent then I disapprove of it. If it

needs to continue then it has to be in a silent way.

British Chief: - We must arrest him. Or else he would take over us.

Narrator 5: - Gandhi was arrested in March 1922 and was sentenced to six years of
imprisonment. He was released in February 1924 after 2 years for an appendicitis operation.
While he was in prison, the INC split into two - One led by Chitta Ranjan Das and Motilal
Nehru and the other led by Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and Sardar Vallabai Patel, who
opposed Gandhi’s movements.

Narrator 6: - After Gandhi was released, he stayed out of active politics. He regained
political activity in 1928. Gandhi went to speak with the British Government.
Gandhi: - I want the British to grant India a dominion status or else the Indians will fight for
complete independence as their goal.

Narrator 1: - After waiting for one year for the British to respond, he planned and launched a
concrete protest. On 31st December 1929, the flag of India was unfurled in Lahore. 26th
January 1930 was celebrated as India’s Independence Day by the INC.

Narrator 2: - The British started increasing tax on salt.

Gandhi: - We have to do something on this. I am going to launch a new campaign of civil

disobedience against the British tax on salt. It will be called the salt march or the Dandi
march. Indians will be marching from Ahmedabad to Dandi in Gujarat. We will halt at
specific places. We should start our march everyday sharply at 6.30am and none should
stop in between till we reach the next halt place.

Narrator 6: - The British government didn’t stop the march.

British Chief: - Should we stop him sir?!

British Governor: - No need for that. It is impossible for that 61-year-old man to undertake a
brisk walk of 400 kilometers. He would drop dead in the way.

Narrator 1: - Gandhi had finished the march in 24 days.

British Chief: - Sir he has finished the walk.

British Governor: - WHAT?!!! It is not possible. How could he walk that much?!
Narrator 2: - The salt march continued for over a year.

British Governor: - We need to arrest Gandhi. I on behalf of the British government give the
order to arrest Gandhi and all the people in the march.

Narrator 3: - Gandhi was arrested on 5th May 1930.

Narrator 4: - The government was then represented by Lord Edward Irwin.

Lord Edward Irwin: - I have decided to negotiate with Gandhi. Send the British officers and
ask them to negotiate.

Narrator 5: - The Gandhi-Irwin pact was signed in March 1931 and the negotiation started.

British Officer: - We will release every person in prison in return for something from you.

Gandhi: - What is it?!!

British Officer: - The government of Britain wants you to stop your moments. If you stop
your moments, we will release every Indian in prison.

Narrator 6: - Later, Lord Irwin’s successor, Lord Willingdon, forced on controlling and
subduing the movement of the Nationalists.

Lord Willingdon: - Arrest Gandhi and keep him in isolation and wipe out his influence on his
followers.
Narrator 1: - The government then started to completely wipe out his influence on his
followers.

British Officer: - Sir, we have tried to wipe out his influence but we were not able to do it.

Narrator 2: - Gandhi was released.

Narrator 3: - In 1932, Gandhi started a new campaign to improve the lives of the
untouchables, whom he called Harijans, the children of God.

Narrator 4: - To help the Harijans, Gandhi traveled throughout the country to collect funds.
He reached a place called Badagiri, in Kerala.

Gandhi: - I request everyone here to donate funds, gold and silver for the uplift of the
untouchables.

Narrator 5: - As soon as he finished his speech, a 16-year-old girl named Koumudi came
towards him.

Koumudi: - Can you give me an autograph?

Narrator 6: - While he signed his autograph, she removed all the gold that she had and gave
it to him.

Gandhi: - Hey girl, your parents would be mad at you for giving all this gold.

Crowd person: - Her dad is so generous.

Narrator 1: - Gandhi wanted to test that child further.

Gandhi: - You have to promise me that you will not wear golden ornaments again.

Koumudi: - Ok, I promise you that I will never wear gold ornaments again.

Gandhi: - What would you do if your husband, after marriage, insisted you wear gold.

Koumudi: - I will never marry such a person.

<The crowd broke in to thundering applause for the girl>

Gandhi: - All the ornaments you have donated are no match for your sacrifice.

Narrator 2: - Gandhi continued to focus on the task of winning independence for India. Many
other young leaders held views different from that of Gandhi regarding issues like faith in
democracy and nonviolence. World war 2 has started.

British Chief: - India must support the British during this world war.

Gandhi: - We will not participate in this world war for democratic freedom because India
itself has no freedom.

Narrator 3: - On the other hand, Gandhi intensified his demand for independence, drafting a
resolution calling for the British to quit India. This was Gandhi’s most definite revolt. Quit
India became the most forceful movement in the history of this struggle, with mass arrests
and violence on an unprecedented scale.
Gandhi: - We will not support the British in the World war unless India is granted
independence. I want everyone to maintain discipline via nonviolence and Karo Ya Maro (Do
or Die) for the cause of freedom.

Narrator 4: - Gandhi and the entire team of INC were arrested in Bombay by the British in
1942. They were held for 2 years in the Aga Khan Palace in Pune. This was done to stop the
Quit India movement.

Narrator 5: - During these 2 years of imprisonment, he suffered 2 terrible blows. His 50-
year-old secretary, Mahadev Desai died of a heart attack and his wife Kasturba died in
1944.

British Chief: - Gandhi will be released in May, 1944 because of his failing health and
necessary surgery.

Narrator 6: - After the world war.

British Chief: - The officers will give clear indications of transferring the power of India to
Indian hands.

Gandhi: - No need for the Quit India movement to continue, we’ll stop it.

Narrator 1: - 100,000 prisoners were released, including the leaders of INC.

Narrator 2: - Gandhi was a man of principles who instilled discipline in his fellow men too.
Though Gandhi was a mind person he was a hard task master when it comes to adherence of
discipline, timeliness and truthfulness. His followers were punished by him whenever they
failed to adhere to the rules. His punishment was not intended to hurt them but was always
in the form of a lesson they learnt the hard way.

Narrator 3: - A few of Gandhi’s followers led by Prabhakar visited a school in Anantapur.

Prabhakar: - Can you arrange a table clock in our room?

Principal of the school: - Sure sir.

Narrator 4: - When they completed their work they left to Sabarmati, but by mistake took
the table clock with them. Gandhi came to know of it.

Prabhakar: - I am so sorry, I will send the clock by post to the school.

Gandhi: - No, you have to go personally and return it along with apologies.

Prabhakar: - I am so sorry, I will never do this again. Please allow me to send it by post, it
will save money and time.

Gandhi: - No, travel is a punishment for your negligence. You have to forgo your dinner for a
fortnight to recover the expenses of your trip.

Narrator 5: - One fine day in the ashram, Gandhi was searching for something.

Ashramite 1: - What are you searching for?

Gandhi: - I have lost a pencil which is the size of my thumb.

Ashramite 1: - We have to buy a new pencil for him.

Ashramite 2: - OK, I will buy it immediately and give it to him.

Narrator 6: - Immediately the Ashramites bought a new pencil and gave it to him.

Gandhi: - I never asked for a new pencil. Keep it with yourself and I will search for mine.

Narrator 1: - Gandhi found the pencil in a pile of books. He also followed a rule that to never
tolerate anything being misplaced due to negligence.

Narrator 2: - During a tour, a disciple forgot to bring his honey bottle from the ashram. She
bought a new bottle and kept it with her. Gandhi noticed that while having his meal.

Gandhi: - How could you be so careless? I will not take honey till I reach the ashram.

Narrator 3: - He first finished the old bottle of honey and then used the new one which
makes it evident how much he hated to waste anything.

Narrator 4: - During one of his tours in Bengal, Gandhi was a guest to a zamindar. Many
people gathered for the evening prayers on the terrace of zamindar’s mansion.

Gandhi: - Can you switch off the lights before starting the prayer?

Zamindar: - Switch off the lights...

Narrator 5: - He ordered one of his servants though the switch was within his reach. Before
the servant came, Gandhi sprang up from his seat and switched off the lights, which
ashamed the zamindar. After the prayer, when the crowd began to disperse, someone broke
a China vase. This time the zamindar, instead of calling out his servants, disposed of the
broken pieces himself. Gandhi taught a silent lesson to the zamindar.

Narrator 6: - Gandhi visited an elementary school one day.

Boy 1: - Welcome to our school sir.

Narrator 1: - As usual, Gandhi wore a dhoti and covered his upper body with a cloth.

Boy 2 speaking to himself: - Why is he not wearing a shirt?

Narrator 2: - Gandhi approaches the boy.

Boy 2: - Can I offer you a shirt sir?

Gandhi: - 1 shirt will not be enough for me.

Boy 2: - Can I bring a few shirts?

Gandhi: - A few shirts will not be enough for me.

Boy 2: - How many shirts will you need?

Gandhi: - 33 crore.

Narrator 3: - The population of India at that time was 33 crores.

Boy 2 speaking to himself: - I think that millions of people in India are not having proper
dress to wear.

Narrator 4: - Gandhi was a man of few words and believed that actions spoke louder than
words. He was a legend to the people around him. He believed in the principle of “I see no
evil, I hear no evil, I speak no evil” which was represented by 3 monkey statues gifted by
Chinese visitors.

Narrator 5: - During 1946, differences between the Hindus and the Muslims reached their
peak. The Muslims, demanded the division of the country into two- India and Pakistan.

Gandhi: - I will not allow India to divide into two. I will talk with the leaders of both
religions.

Narrator 6: - Gandhi failed to convince both the religions. The Congress also supported
partition to prevent the Hindu-Muslim war. With no other option on hand, Gandhi gave his
concern for the partition. In June 1947, Viscount Louis Mountbatten, the last governor-
general of India announced the Partition.

Viscount Louis Mountbatten: - The British Indian empire will be divided into Secular India
and Muslim Pakistan and will be independent on 14 and 15 august respectively. The
government of India will have to pay a rupee of 55 crore to the Pakistan government for
functioning.

Council member 1: - No we should not give money to Pakistan.

Council member 2: - Yes, they will turn against us.

Gandhi: -No it is wrong; the money must be given.

Council head: - I declare that money will not be given to the Pakistan government.

Gandhi speaking to himself: - If the government is not giving money, then there will be more
violence.

Narrator 1: - Gandhi was on a fast till the government gave the money to Pakistan.

Narrator 2: - On 30th January, 1948, Gandhi went on a night public walk on the grounds of
Birla Bhavan in Delhi. A person named Nathuram Godse came after him to kill him justifying
his act that Gandhi supported the formation of Pakistan, and weakened India by demanding
partition agreement money. The Hindus planned to eliminate Gandhi and since 1934, six
unsuccessful attempts were made. As he was shot, he fell down crying out “Hey Ram”.