- A dispute emerged between mill owners of Ahmedabad and workers over the discontinuation of the Plague bonus. Workers demanded a 50% hike in wages (because of wartime inflation).
- Gandhi intervened and asked workers to go on a non-violent strike and demand a 35% wage hike, but the owners were ready to concede a 20% bonus only. However, the patience of workers was wearing out and participation in meetings started declining.
- Gandhi advised the workers to remain non-violent while on strike. When negotiations with mill owners did not progress, he undertook a fast unto death (his first) to strengthen the workers’ resolve.
- In the end, due to pressure, the issue was submitted to the tribunal, which granted a 35% wage hike for workers.
- Another important figure related to this event was Anasuya Sarabhai. She was a social worker who presented workers’ causes before Gandhi. In 1920, she founded Ahmedabad Textile Labour Association.
