6. At the age of 11, Shastri, on hearing Mahatma Gandhi's speech in Varanasi, decided to join the freedom movement.During the Non-Cooperation Movement he was arrested, but released because he was a minor. In those days, dowry was a normal routine for weddings. But Shastri refused to take dowry. He only accepted a charkha and some yards of khadi from his in-laws, setting a precedent in his locality. In 1930, Shastri was jailed for two and a half years during the Salt Satyagraha. He came to know that his daughter was unwell. The British authorities allowed him 15 days parole on condition that he would not indulge in political activities. By the time he reached home, his daughter had died. He conducted her funeral rites and returned to jail much before the parole period was over.
