During most of January 1924, Baba remained in relative quietude and aloofness; only Behramji and Gustadji were staying with the Master in the Bharucha Building. But on 20 January, Baba called all the mandali from Poona, Lonavla and Ahmednagar to Bombay.
At the gathering he told them, "Only those who are willing and ready to dedicate themselves to me fully — for an indefinite period — will be able to stay with me."
A week before, on the 14th, Baba had written to Ghani:
Never for a moment think that I will ever forget you and the work that I am bent upon for you! Though you have not understood me up till now, a day will come when you will thoroughly understand your greatest friend in this world.
In Bombay, speaking to Ghani and Ramjoo in private, Baba said, "Whatever hopes and promises I held out to you to be fulfilled by February 28th, you may now consider them unfulfilled. If you think that the last two years with me were a waste of time and in vain, and if you now no longer take me for what you believed me to be for so long, then I can only say I am sorry and ask your forgiveness. Still, if you wish to remain with me, you may do so for only an indefinite period and without any previous conditions or expectations. However, if you think I have beguiled and deceived you, you are free to express yourselves and rebuke me as you wish."
Baba further told them, "If you want, you may keep your connection with me by remaining at home and carrying out your worldly duties; but it can only be done by carrying out my spiritual instructions."
For Ghani and Ramjoo, it was not a question of faith in the Master. They did not consider that their two years with him had been in vain, but both were married and had children. They knew that Baba intended to travel to Persia and, for family reasons, they decided it was better to remain at home in Lonavla and obey Baba's orders from there.
When informed of their decision, Baba commented, "If you trust me, and if you believe that I am the One for whom you have love and faith, then I can definitely say that in this life, and in this body, you can be as certain of spiritual awakening — as day follows night — whether you remain with me, away from me, or even go against me!"