Arriving in India, Baba, Chanji and Aga Ali reached Bombay at 8:00 A.M. on Friday, 1 January 1932. At Ballard Pier, Baba was welcomed home with heartfelt joy by Rustom and his mother Gulmai, Soonamasi, Shireenmai, Ghani, Ramjoo, Khak Saheb, Kalemama, Nusserwan, Chinchorkar and other followers. Baba was taken to the apartment on Frere road of Kaka Baria's sister and brother-in-law Manekji and Banubai Confectioner (where he had stayed before, in 1930). Baba had been away for five months.
Correspondence had been exchanged between Gandhi and Baba while the Master was in America. Rustom and Ramjoo had been instructed to meet Gandhi, who expressed his desire to see Baba as soon as he returned to India. Baba had indicated that he too wanted to see Gandhi. The political and social situation in India had become intense; Gandhi was expected to be arrested by the British for political agitation. A meeting was quickly arranged.
Accompanied by Chanji, Baba went to Mahatma Gandhi's residence, Mani Bhawan at Gamdevi, Bombay, late at night at 11:45 on Sunday, 3 January 1932. Gandhi welcomed Baba with a loving embrace. They sat down and discussed matters for about an hour:
"I am very, very glad to see you," Gandhi said.
"I am also glad we could meet," Baba replied. "I was quite busy the whole day, but I had to see you at least once."
"Yes, Rustom had delivered your message here and I sent word that I must see you."
"That is why I came."
"If you had not come, it would have been my lifelong grievance against you," Gandhi joked.
"Perhaps if you are arrested, which I am afraid you will be in a day or two, this meeting would have been canceled. But since your arrest is definite, I came even though it is so late. I understand you could not come to me."
"It is your kindness to have come here."
"Now, what news?" Baba inquired.
"You know it all. These people [around me] are ready with their sleeves rolled up. We shall have to fight the British to the end."
"It will be much better if you see the Viceroy [Lord Irwin] once again. Then the excitement which is now so intense will cool down considerably and the situation will be easier to handle."
"I do wish to see the Viceroy, but he lays down such conditions — this topic is not to be discussed, that is not allowed, and so forth. It is impossible for me to agree. Also, no talk about ordinances will be allowed, and that is the first and main point at issue. When they don't wish to talk on that, it is no use meeting. It is like ... "