Chapter 6 of the CBSE Class 12 English Textbook – Flamingo includes a prose titled “The Interview.” In The Life of Mahatma Gandhi, Louis Fischer recounts a pivotal episode involving Mahatma Gandhi and the indigo sharecroppers of Champaran, Bihar. The story begins with an illiterate peasant named Rajkumar Shukla, who, seeking justice for his oppressed community, approaches Gandhi for assistance. The sharecroppers in Champaran were enduring severe exploitation at the hands of British landowners. Though it initially seems a minor grievance, this incident ignites a prolonged struggle against British rule, culminating in the liberation of the suffering peasants and empowering them to stand up for their rights.
Here, we provide a brief summary of the prose- The Interview.
CBSE Class 12 English The Interview Summary
Louis Fischer begins the chapter by recounting his meeting with Mahatma Gandhi at his ashram in Sevagram in 1942. Gandhi shared his deep desire to accelerate the departure of the British from India, a mission that had commenced in 1917. At the time, during the annual convention of the Indian National Congress Party in Lucknow in December 1916, a farmer named Rajkumar Shukla approached Gandhi. Shukla sought Gandhi’s assistance in addressing the injustices faced by himself and his fellow farmers under the oppressive landlord system in Bihar.
Rajkumar Shukla followed Gandhi to his ashram persistently until Gandhi agreed to visit Champaran. It was arranged that Shukla would escort Gandhi from Calcutta to Champaran. When Gandhi arrived in Calcutta several months later. Shukla was waiting for him at the agreed spot, precisely on time. Shukla then took Gandhi to the home of Rajendra Prasad, a lawyer, but Prasad was absent.
Consequently, Gandhi decided to proceed to Muzaffarpur.
In Muzaffarpur, Gandhi was welcomed at the train station by Professor J.B. Kripalani accompanied by many students. Despite the local fear of harboring home-rule supporters like Gandhi, Professor Malkani, a government school teacher, offered him shelter for two days.
During his stay, Gandhi met with numerous lawyers and farmers, gaining insight into the farmer’s plight. The farmers were sharecroppers working on estates owned by British landlords. This system required them to cultivate fifteen percent of their land with indigo and surrender the entire harvest to the landlords. However, when the landlords learned of Germany’s development of synthetic indigo, they no longer wanted the farmers to grow indigo. They demanded compensatory payments from the farmers to release them from the indigo obligation. While some farmers agreed to this willingly, others hired lawyers to contest the demand. Upon discovering the advent of synthetic indigo, those who had paid sought to reclaim their money.
Gandhi encountered numerous obstacles while trying to address the Champaran issue with government officials. They offered various excuses and repeatedly turned him away. Undeterred, Gandhi persisted, filing a case with the support of prominent lawyers and local farmers. After extensive meetings with the Lieutenant-Governor, Gandhi succeeded in arranging an investigation into the sharecroppers’ grievances. The inquiry uncovered substantial evidence, leading the officials to agree to refund the money that had been wrongfully taken from the farmers.
Gandhi initially demanded a fifty percent refund, but the official inquiry countered with an offer of twenty-five percent. Gandhi accepted this offer gladly. For him, the exact amount of money was less significant than the symbolic victory—British landlords were forced to return the funds. Gandhi believed this also marked a surrender of the landlords’ prestige.
The outcome of this event was transformative: the once fearful and oppressed farmers began to develop a sense of self-reliance and the courage to stand up for their rights. The writer emphasizes that Gandhi’s approach to politics was not just about loyalty to ideals, but about loyalty to the people—the human beings at the heart of the struggle. Gandhi initiated various efforts to improve the lives of the people in Champaran. He established schools and launched health and sanitation campaigns to help the community overcome poverty and suffering. His wife, disciples, and many others volunteered to support Gandhi in bringing development to Champaran.
Conclusion of The Interview
In conclusion, the chapter “The Interview,” highlights the profound impact of Gandhi’s involvement in Champaran. Through his persistent efforts, Gandhi not only resolved the immediate issue of the indigo farmers but also sparked a larger movement of empowerment among the oppressed. The farmers, who had lived in fear and submission, learned to stand up for their rights and take control of their own lives. Gandhi’s work in Champaran demonstrated that true leadership is about serving and uplifting people, not just adhering to political ideals. His actions laid the groundwork for the broader Indian independence movement, showing that change begins with caring for the well-being of the people.
We trust that this summary of the CBSE Class 12 English Flamingo Prose, “The Interview,” has provided you with a quick grasp of the chapter. Stay connected with GK Publications for the latest updates on CBSE and study materials. Explore sample papers and question papers from various years to enhance your preparation for the Board exams.
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