1939

January

1

Gave Interview to  Timothy Ling Fang Lew and P.C. Hsu, members of Chinese delegation to Missionary Conference  at Tambaram. Gave interview to Rev. S.S. Temo of D.R. Mission, Johannesburg.

1939

January

1

Left for Bardoli.

1939

January

2

Arrived in Bardoli.

1939

January

3

Had discussion with  U.N. Dhebar about Rajkot Satyagraha.

1939

January

4

Had talk with Jamnalal  Bajaj concerning Jaipur Satyagraha

1939

January

11 - 14

Attended Congress  Working Committee meeting.

1939

January

15

Had talk with Toyohiko  Kagawa. Had discussion with the Aga Khan about minority community and communal unity.

1939

January

17

Received B.G. Kher.

1939

January

23

Vallabhbhai Patel  arrived in Bardoli to discussed Rajkot affairs with Gandhi.

1939

January

24

Gandhi had talk with  Pattabhi Sitaramayya.

1939

January

26

Addressed meeting of  peasants on emancipation day.

1939

January

28

Had discussion with  representatives of Municipalities and Local Boards.

1939

January

29

Addressed meeting of  peasants held on occasion of restoration of confiscated lands.

1939

January

31

Issued statement to  the Press on election of Subhas Chandra Bose as Congress President and on Rajkot and  Jaipur Satyagrahas.

1939

February

1

Left for Segaon.

1939

February

2

Arrived in Segaon.

1939

February

3 - 4

At Wardha. Had talk  with teachers undergoing training under Wardha scheme of education.

1939

February

5

At Segaon.

1939

February

8

Issued statement to  the Press on Jamnalal Bajaj’s arrest.

1939

February

9

Issued statement to  Press on Rajkot and Jaipur Satyagraha.

1939

February

13

Had discussion with  Dr. Chesterton of english baptist Mission.

1939

February

14

Subhas Chandra Bose  arrived in Segaon to have discussion with Gandhi.

1939

February

15

Discussion continued.

1939

February

21

Gandhi had talk with  delegates of Hyderabad State Congress.

1939

February

23

Isued statement to the  Press on strike in Annamalai University and Rajkot Satyagraha.

1939

February

24

Had talk with Ashram  inmates about his decision to go to Rajkot.

1939

February

25

Issued statement to  the Press on Rajkot Satyagraha. Left for Bombay en route to Rajkot.

1939

February

26

Arrived in Bombay.

1939

February

27

Arrived in Rajkot.  Gave interview to Associate Press and The Hindu.

1939

February

28

Had separate  discussions with representatives of Muslim Council of Action and deputation of Garasia  Mandal. Gave interview to The Hindu.

1939

March

1

Gandhi was in Rajkot,  interview to Associate Press of India.

1939

March

2

In statement to the  Press, Gandhi announced decision to go on fast if his request to Thakore Saheb was not  complied with.

1939

March

3

Commenced fast ;  issued statement to the press and released letter to Thakore Saheb; had discussion with  Fateh Mohammed Khan.

1939

March

4

In statement to the  Press, appealed to Congressmen "to make supreme efforts to clean the Congress house  of proved corruption and impurities."

1939

March

6

Had discussion with  Agatha Harrison.

1939

March

7

Broke fast; issued  statement to the Press.

1939

March

8

Had talk with Agatha  Harrison.

1939

March

9

In telegram to  Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose, emphasized need for resolution "to rid  Congress of internal corruption". Appealed to people of Rajkot to become worthy of  "responsible Government".

1939

March

11

Issued statement to  the Press, declined "to give a decisive opinion" on question of revival of civil  resistance in Travancore.

1939

March

14

Had discussion with  Haribhau Upadhyaya and others on Jaipur Satyagraha.

1939

March

15

In Delhi had two-hour  meeting with Viceroy; in Delhi Jail persuaded prisoners to give up hunger-strike.

1939

March

16

Had another meeting  with Viceroy; interview to Gobind Bihari Lal; Gandhi had discussion with Hyderabad  Aryasamaj leaders on Hyderabad Satyagraha.

1939

March

18

Spoke at opening  ceremony of Lakshmi Narayan Temple and Buddha Vihara.

1939

March

19

Asked Jaipur  Satyagraha Council to postpone despatch of satyagrahis to Jaipur.

1939

March

20

In statement to the  Press, condemned action of Travancore Dewan in arresting Pattom Thanu Pilai and other  Congress leaders. Had separate discussions with Travancore satyagrahis and Jaipur  satyagrahis.

1939

March

Before 23

Interview to The  New York Times.

1939

March

23

Gandhi Issued  statement advising suspension of Travancore Satyagraha.

1939

March

24

In Allahabad, called  on Abdul Kalam Azad; left for Delhi.

1939

March

25

In telegram to R.K.  Jha, confirmed that statement suspending Travancore Satyagraha contemplated similar action  in Nandgaon State.

1939

March

26

In Harijan, commended  Bombay Government’s decision to introduce prohibition from August 1, 1939.

1939

March

29 qnd 30

Had discussion with  Agatha Harrison.

1939

March

30

In letter to Subhas  Chandra Bose gave permission to publish their correspondence.

1939

March

31

Had discussion with  inmates of Birla House on communal situation in Allahabad.

1939

April

3

Sir Maurice Gwyer gave  verdict in favour of Vallabhbhai Patel.

1939

April

4

Gandhi Issued  statement to the Press on Bombay prohibition programme; in another statement condemned  repression in Travancore.

1939

April

6

Had meeting with  Viceroy.

1939

April

7

Left for Rajkot.

1939

April

9

Reached Rajkot.

1939

April

11

Met E.C. Gibson.

1939

April

12

Bhayats and Muslims  met Gandhi.

1939

April

14

On behalf of  Vallabhbhai Patel, Gandhi wrote to Dharmendrasinh suggesting seven names for reforms  Committee.

1939

April

15

Issued statement to  the Press regarding nomination of seven names for Reforms Committee.

1939

April

16

Muslims and Garasias  staged a demonstration at prayer; Gandhi issued statement.

1939

April

17

In telegram to  Satyamurti disapproved observing of ‘Kenya Day’ on May 14.

1939

April

18

In telegram to Lord  Linlithgow, reminded him of 20,000 Talcher refugees.

1939

April

19

Suffered from gastric  flu.

1939

April

20

Met Gibson with  "the sporting offer" namely, "Parishad should withdraw from the proposed  Committee altogether and that the Thakore Saheb should nominate his own Committee" in  terms of December 26 Settlement.

1939

April

22

Met Virawala; gave  statement to Associate Press of India.

1939

April

23

In letter informed  Gibson of Virawala’s rejection of "sporting offer"; addressed meeting of  Praja Parishad workers.

1939

April

24

Left for Bombay;  issued statement to the press on his defeat in Rajkot.

1939

April

25

Reached Bombay; left  for Calcutta.

1939

April

27

On train, between  Kharagpur and Calcutta, interview to The Stateman.

1939

April

29

In letter to Subhas  Bose Gandhi said "… knowing how you and most of the members differ on  fundamentals… you are free to choose your own Committee."

1939

April

29

Subhas Bose resigned  from Congress Presidentship after reading out Gandhi’s letter at A.I.C.C. meeting.

1939

May

1

Gandhi left for  Brindaban (Bihar).

1939

May

3

Spoke at opening of  Village Industries Exhibition.

1939

May

4

Spoke at  Teachers’ Training Camp.

1939

May

5

Answered questions at  Gandhi Seva Sangh meeting.

1939

May

6

Answered questions at  Gandhi Seva Sangh meeting.

1939

May

7

Answered questions at  Gandhi Seva Sangh meeting; addressed All-India Village Industries Board; also addressed  public meeting.

1939

May

8

Left for Benares to  see Madan Mohan Malaviya.

1939

May

11

In Bombay, interview  to the Press.

1939

May

12

Gandhi reached Rajkot;  spoke at meeting of Praja Parishad workers.

1939

May

12

In interview to A.P.I.  regretted anti-Asiatic policy of South Africa Union Government.

1939

May

12

In a personal letter  to Virawala mentioned "the double game" he was playing.

1939

May

On or after 12

In talk to Praja  Parishad workers confessed his "impatience" in attitude to problem of Bhayats  and Mussalmans.

1939

May

13 and 14

Interview to  Travancore National Congress delegation.

1939

May

15

In talk to Praja  Parishad workers Gandhi expressed desire to renounce Gwyer Award.

1939

May

17

In statement to the  press, renounced Gwyer Award. Had discussion with Mahadev Desai.

1939

May

After 17

Had talks with  co-workers on his decision to give up the Award; interview to Steel of The New York  Times.

1939

May

18

Gandhi had discussion  with Kasturba Gandhi.

1939

May

20

Attended Durbar at  Rajkot Palace.

1939

May

On or after 20

Had talk with  co-workers who remonstrated with Gandhi for attending the Rajkot Durbar.

1939

May

23

In message, advised  South Africa Indians to fight unitedly the Union Government’s policy of progressive  stringency in their anti-Asiatic drive"; addressed public meeting.

1939

May

31

Spoke at Executive  Committee Meeting of Kathiawar Political Conference.

1939

June

1

Accompanied by  Kasturba Gandhi, Mahadev Desai, Pyarelal and Dr. Sushila Nayyar, Gandhi left Rajkot for  Bombay by Kathiawar Mail. On train, had discussion with Travancore State Congress  deputation.

1939

June

2

Reached Bombay.  Interview to Bombay Victuallers’ Association representative, which was followed by  Parsi deputation led by Cowasji Jehangir.

1939

June

4

Gandhi issued  statement explaining his new technique of action in Travancore.

1939

June

6

Interview to  deputation of Kolhapur Praja Parishad.

1939

June

7

Left Bombay for  Segaon.

1939

June

11

In Harijan article  "Meaning of Prohibition", replied to letter from Archbishop of Bombay.

1939

June

13

Interview to Mysore  Congress representatives.

1939

June

20

Accompanied by Mahadev  Desai, Pyarelal and Dr. Sushila Nayyar, Gandhi left Segaon for Bombay.

1939

June

23

In Bombay, drafted  resolutions for the All-India Congress Committee.

1939

June

27

In Harijan, wrote  on "The National Flag".

1939

July

4

Visited Chemical  Industrial and Pharmaceutical Laboratories.

1939

July

5

At Bombay Central,  before leaving for Frontier Province, received Aim of Japan’s Expansion in China from  Chinese monks

1939

July

5

Before boarding  Frontier Mail, received from S.K. Bole, who had led group of forty Bhandaris, petition to  Premier of Bombay and assured him that they "will not be allowed to starve".

1939

July

5

Left for Peshawar.  Mahadev Desai accompanied him. Kasturba Gandhi, Pyarelal and Dr. Sushila Nayyar stayed  back.

1939

July

7

Gandhi reached  Abbottabad in the evening.

1939

July

8

In statement to the  press urged Bengal political prisoners "not to take to hunger-strike".

1939

July

8

Meenakshi Temple in  Madurai was thrown open to Harijans.

1939

July

9

Interview to L.W.  Jardine of M.R.A.

1939

July

10

Gandhi had discussion  with Jayaprakash Narayan, who spoke about Kisan Sabha and Congress in Bihar and also about  Socialist Party’s attitude towards forward Bloc.

1939

July

13

In statement, Gandhi  expressed regret over Subhas Chandra Bose’s opposition to Bombay prohibition scheme.

1939

July

14

Kasturba Gandhi,  Pyarelal and Dr. Sushila Nayyar reached Abbottabad.

1939

July

15

In statement to the  Press, Gandhi urged Bengal Government to release the political prisoners.

1939

July

16

Gandhi was in  Abbottabad since July 7.

1939

July

17

In letter to sikandar  Hyat Khan, expressed inability to agree with his alternative scheme of Federation.

1939

July

22

In statement to the  Press, announced cancellation of his visit to Kashmir.

1939

July

22

Interview to  Provincial Congress Committee members.

1939

July

23

Message to Bombay  Government Prohibition Board on decision to promulgate prohibition in Bombay from august.  In letter to Adolf Hitler, Government appealed to him as "the one person in the world  who can prevent a war which may reduce humanity to the sav

1939

July

23

Spoke at Abbottabad.

1939

July

On or Before 26

Discussion with Dr.  Charles Fabri.

1939

July

26

Gandhi left Abbottabad  for Wardha. Kasturba Gandhi, Mahadev Desai, Pyarelal and dr. Sushila Nayyar accompanied  him.

1939

July

27

At Ghaziabad Station  in the morning, Gandhi got down and proceeded to Delhi in motor-car.

1939

July

27

At about 10.30 a.m. at  Harijan Colony presided over first convocation of Harijan Industrial Home and gave away  certificates to students.

1939

July

27

In afternoon,  interview to Ghanshyamsingh Gupta, Speaker, Central Provinces legislative Assembly,  Vinayak Rao of Arya Samaj Satyagraha in Hyderabad State, and Deshbandhu Gupta, who placed  before him correspondence between Ghanshyamsingh Gupta and Akbar

1939

July

27

Left Delhi for Wardha  by Grand Trunk Express.

1939

July

31

S.K. Bole in his  letter to Gandhi said that "the signatories to the memorial acted bona fide and  they never intended to offer any threat to the Bombay Ministry.

1939

August

1

In telegram to  Viceroy, Gandhi regretted his inability to see him in Delhi on August 5.

1939

August

3

Bengal political  prisoners decided to suspend hunger-strike.

1939

August

Before 4

In letter to  President, Tanzeem-ul-Mominin, Gandhi advised withdrawal of civil disobedience started by  Shias in early June as a result of the Shia-Sunni dispute.

1939

August

5

In discussion,  persuaded V.V. Sathe, a Satyagrahi, to postpone his proposed fast to seek redress of  grievances against Bombay Government.

1939

August

7

Rajagopalachari  introduced in Madras Legislative Council Temple-entry Authorization and Indemnity Bill as  passed by Madras Legislative Assembly.

1939

August

8

"Arya  Satyagraha" was called off.

1939

August

11

The Congress Working  Committee passed resolution disqualifying Subhas Chandra Bose from being President of  Bengal Provincial Congress Committee for three years from August 30.

1939

August

23

In statement to the  Press, Gandhi replied to criticisms against two resolutions of Congress Working Committee  - one disqualifying Subhas Chandra Bose and other on war.

1939

August

27

In statement to the  Press on international crisis, declared " I cannot emphasize my belief more  forcibly than by saying that I personally would not purchase my own country’s freedom  by violence even if such a thing were a possibility".

1939

August

Before 30

In message to Poles,  sent "good wishes and blessings".

1939

August

31

In telegram to G.D.  Birla, advised commercial community to "remain silent" on international crisis  till "actual result is known."

1939

September

2

Left for Simla in  response to invitation from Viceroy.

1939

September

3

England and France  declared war on Germany.

1939

September

4

Interview with  Viceroy.

1939

September

5

Gandhi left for  Wardha.

1939

September

5

Issued statement on  Simla visit. Sabarmati Ashram was officially declared as ‘Harijan Ashram.’

1939

September

8

Congress Working  Committee meeting began in Wardha.

1939

September

11

Viceroy addressed  Legislative Assembly; announced postponement of Federation.

1939

September

15

Gandhi gave statement  to the press on Congress Working Committee concluded its meeting.

1939

September

20

Gandhi issued  statement suggesting mode of action by the Ministries in view of Congress Working  Committee Manifesto.

1939

September

23 and 24

Discussion with  members of Oxford Group.

1939

September

24

Gandhi left for Simla  on being invited by Viceroy for second round of talks.

1939

September

26

In Simla, interview  with Viceroy.

1939

September

27

Gandhi left for  Segaon.

1939

September

28

At Nagpur railway  station, answered questions on interview with Viceroy.

1939

September

28

In statement to the  Press, appealed to Lord Zetland to "forget the old language of imperialists and open  a new chapter for all those who have been held under imperial bondage".

1939

October

2

In Delhi, discussion  with Rajendra Prasad and Jawaharlal Nehru before their meeting with Viceroy.

1939

October

3

In message to British  people through The Manchester Guardian, Gandhi appealed for Bretain’s  sincerity in "professions about democracy".

1939

October

5

Interview with  Viceroy.

1939

October

6

Gandhi reached Segaon.

1939

October

7 - 10

In Wardha attended  Congress Working Committee meeting.

1939

October

10

A.I.C.C. passed  Working Committee resolution on war. In Harijan article "On trial",  Gandhi observed that "Congressmen are unprepared for non-violent defence against  armed invasion" and he declared, "it is better for India to discard violence  altogethe

1939

October

12

In letter to Dr. B.C.  Roy, declined to shoulder burden of leading Congress and suggested to have Jawaharlal  Nehru for that post.

1939

October

13

In statement,  described A.I.C.C. resolution on war as "moderate and wise" and appealed to  Congressmen "to desist from any action that would savour of indiscipline of  defiance".

1939

October

17

Viceroy made  declaration of India’s political future and her attitude to war.

1939

October

18

In statement to the  press, Gandhi characterized Viceroy’s declaration as "profoundly  disappointing".

1939

October

19

At Wardha, in  conference of Central Provinces and Berar Local Bodies’ representatives, spoke on the  Basic Education Scheme.

1939

October

20

At Segaon, interview  to The Times of India.

1939

October

22

In note to Police  Superintendent and Deputy Commissioner, Gandhi declined their offer to arrange for his  protection.

1939

October

22

Congress Working  Committee passed resolution calling upon "Congress Ministries to tender their  resignations".

1939

October

23

In cable to world  Press, Gandhi declared "Congress has left the door open to Britain to mend the  mistake."

1939

October

25 - 26

Discussion with  members of Gandhi Seva Sangh.

1939

October

27

In statement to the  press, Gandhi appreciated conciliatory tone of Sir Simuel Hore’s speech in House of  commons but criticized his plea for protection of minorities in rejecting the Congress  demand.

1939

October

27

Madras Ministry  tendered resignation.

1939

October

28

Message to Basic  Education Conference, Poona.

1939

October

31

Gandhi left for Delhi  to meet Viceroy.

1939

October

31

In Harijan article  "The Congressman", said, "for decisive action, the whole Congress has to  move forward in confidence and with one mind."

1939

November

1

During his journey to  Delhi wrote to Chinese Premier and children of China, expressing sympathy in their  hardship caused by Japanese aggression.

1939

November

1

In Delhi, along with  Rajendra Prasad and M.A. Jinnah, had joint conference with Viceroy.

1939

November

1

Continued talks with  Jinnah at the latter’s residence.

1939

November

2

Spoke at opening  ceremony of Prayer hall in Harijan Nivas.

1939

November

4

Interview with  Viceroy.

1939

November

4

In interview to The  Manchester Guardian, Gandhi said ‘he was shocked at Lord Zetland’s  suggestion that the Congress is a Hindu organisation’.

1939

November

5

At Nagpur, interview  to the Press.

1939

November

5

Viceroy, in a  broadcast, declared that his "disappointment" at the leaders’ refusal to  agree to his proposal to expand Governor-General’s Executive Council to include  representatives of the Congress and the Muslim League was not ‘final’ and that  he wo

1939

November

7

In Harijan article  "Opinions Differ", Gandhi expressed hope that talks between Jinnah and  Jawaharlal Nehru would result in producing "a basis for a lasting solution of the  communal tangle".

1939

November

8

In statement to the  Press, referred to Viceroy’s broadcast and press statement and urged Britain to free  India from bondage.

1939

November

14

Cabled statement to The  News Chronicle, London.

1939

November

18

Left for Allahabad.

1939

November

19

In Harijan article  "The Only Way", said, "the Constituent Assembly provides the easiest method  of arriving at a just solution of the communal problem".

1939

November

19

At Allahabad, attended  Congress Working Committee; laid foundation-stone for Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital and  addressed a large gathering.

1939

November

22

Congress Working  Committee considered Gandhi’s draft resolution on political situation in India.

1939

November

23

Gandhi gave  testimonial to Munnilal, a barber. Congress Working Committee passed Gandhi’s  resolution. In letter addressed to Subhas Chandra Bose, Gandhi explained that he was party  to ban imposed on Bose.

1939

November

23

Discussion with U.P.  Congress workers.

1939

November

24

In letter to people of  Mysore, Gandhi disapproved of Forest Satyagraha.

1939

November

25

Reached Wardha.

1939

November

27

In Harijan article  "Swaraj through Women", exhorted women to take up spinning.

1939

December

1

Gandhi was at Segaon.

1939

December

2

In cable to Agatha  Harrison stated that "no progress possible without unequivocal declaration  independence".

1939

December

3

Sent message to The  Hindu on its diamond jubilee. Had discussion with C. Rajagopalachari.

1939

December

4

Sent cable to The News  Chronicle stating that declaration of British policy about India was a purely moral issue.

1939

December

6

M.A. Jinnah issued  statement calling upon Muslims to observe December 22 as "Day of Deliverance"  from Congress Ministries.

1939

December

7

Sir Stafford Cripps  arrived at Karachi.

1939

December

8

Gandhi met Hirday Nath  Kunzru.

1939

December

9

In statement to Press  appealed to M.A. Jinnah to desist from observing "Day of Deliverance" in view of  unity talks and await Viceroy’s and Governor’s opinion on allegations made by  Muslim League against Congress.

1939

December

9

Sir Daniel Hamilton  died in Scotland.

1939

December

Before 10

Gandhi sent message to  Jabalpore District Political Conference.

1939

December

10

Sent condolences to  Lady Hamilton.

1939

December

17

through Harijan  appealed to correspondents and message-seekers to spare him.

1939

December

18

Attended Congress  Working Committee meeting.

1939

December

19

Congress Working  Committee meeting continued. Sir Stafford Cripps called on Gandhi.

1939

December

20

Gandhi continued  discussion with Sir Stafford Cripps.

1939

December

Before 22

Congress Working  Committee passed resolution on Independence Day Pledge.

1939

December

22

Gandhi sent telegram  to Rabindranath Tagore intimating Working Committee’s inability to lift ban against  Subhas Chandra Bose.

1939

December

22

Congress Working  Committee session concluded. Muslim League observed "Day of Deliverance".

1939

December

27

Gandhi addressed  Nagpur Provincial Congress Workers at Wardha.