1931] BOYCOTT OF R. T. C. A NATIONAL BLUNDER 57

Page 1643, para. 4032 (1) — Kaira, August 1.—The chief feature of the week has been the visit of Vallabhbhai J. Patel and M. K. to Borsad. The reason for their visit was ostensibly supposed to be the reconciliation of the Patidar. It will be remembered that many were fined by the Panch as they had paid land revenue before the truce, etc., and the result had been a split. It was at first given out that a compromise had been effected which meant that those who had been mulcted were talked over by without getting their money back. This unsatisfactory result was brought to M. K. Gandhi's notice, and it is now understood that M. K. Gandhi is using his influence to get all fines refunded except for a nominal sum of one rupee. 58 D. M. VISITS GANDHI [1931

Conversations were however most secret and held behind closed doors, so that the full extent has not leaked out. Representatives of all affected villages came, and it is noteworthy that the recommencement of a fresh and forceful struggle in December is being talked about, unless complete is obtained at the Round Table Conference. The Sub-Inspector, Kathana, reports talk is as follows : " Government are not observing truce terms. Attachments are being carried out. It is doubtful whether M. K. Gandhi will go to the Round Table Conference. If Government breaks the truce terms, the movement should be started dangerously, and all Government servants should be boycotted." Proposals for intensifying picketting of liquor and cloth shops were considered. During their visit they distributed Rs. 2,000 on loan to farmers. Page 1644, para. 4032 (2) — Surat, August 1.—On July 28th both the District Magistrate and the District Superintendent of Police were in camp at Bardoli. The District Magistrate visited Mr. Gandhi at the Ashram and requested him to cite any specific cases of harassment, etc. (as alleged by V. Patel in his telegram to Mr. Gandhi while he was at Simla). Mr. Gandhi replied in writing (his day of silence) to the effect that his cases were not ready but as his silence broke at 6 p.m. and he was leaving Bardoli, he would be pleased to discuss the matter with the District Magistrate. Accordingly an interview was arranged at the District Magistrate's bungalow, Surat, where two-hour discussion took place, during which Mr. Gandhi harped on vague and general charges. He was unable to cite any single instance into which enquiries could be made and summed up his grievances with the remark " the whole picture is of threats and intimidation, I do not complain of any particular incident". The villagers have definitely shown signs that they have no axe to grind with the Government officials and the relations generally, between both parties, have, during the collections, been quite friendly in many cases even during the presence of local Congress agitators. It is hoped Bardoli will for the present be left in peace to concentrate more on farming than politics, which the villagers themselves really prefer. Page 1663, para. 4065-A— Ahmedabad, August 8.—M. K. Gandhi left Ahmedabad for Bombay on August 2 to attend the meeting of the Working Committee of the All-India Congress Committee. 1931] SETH WALCHAND BRIEFS LEADERS 59

Page 1664, para. 4065-B— Ahmedabad, August 8.—Valchand Hirachand, a well-known merchant of Bombay, who had recently returned from London, arrived at Ahmedabad on August 1. He met M. K. Gandhi, Vallabhbhai J. Patel, and other leaders at the . He narrated his personal experiences of England and doubted the utility of M. K. Gandhi's' forthcoming visit to England. He added that Britishers have not the least desire to grant any concessions to India and asked Gandhi to consider the attitude of Messrs. Churchill and MacDonald. Valchand left for Bombay on August 1. Page 1664, para. 4067 (2) — Poona, August 8.—M. K. Gandhi, accompanied by Jamnalal Bajaj, Mahadeobhai Desai and Pyarelal came to Poona on the early morning of August 4. They got down at Kirkee and drove to the bungalow of Lady Thakersay. Mr. Gandhi had a four-hour interview with His Excellency the Governor and returned to Bombay the same afternoon. About 100 persons collected at Kirkee Station to see him off. Page 1644, para. 4067 (1) — Ahmedabad, August 8.—M. K. Gandhi arrived in Ahmedabad on the morning of July 31 with Mahadev Haribhai Desai and put up at the Gujarat Vidyapith. He visited the Ashram and indicated by his preparations that he would sail for London on August 15. On August 2, he performed the opening ceremony of the Sir Chinubhai temple for untouchables in Shahibagh. This function was attended by 300 persons. Page 1674, para. 4078 (12) — Item 15

Serial No., date and place Auspices Audience 7th August 1931, Sir Cowasji Jehangir Hall Parsi Rajkiya Sabha 1,500

Speakers Remarks Mrs. Goshup Captain (President), Mr. M. K. Gandhi appreciated the services of the Parsis to M. K. Gandhi. the cause of the country and advised them (1) to take khaddar, (2) to stop liquor trade and (3) to cultivate simple habits of life. A sum of Rs. 3,000 realised by the sale of tickets, was handed over to him by Mrs. Captain for the use of ' ' other purposes he liked. 60 DAL UNDER CONGRESS CONTROL [1931

Page 1683, para. 4093— Bombay, August 10.—A special conference of the Hindustani Seva Dal was held in the Peoples Jinnah Hall on August 9 to consider the question of acceptance of the Congress Working Committee resolution which brought the Dal under the direct control of the Congress. Mr. M. K. Gandhi opened the proceedings of the conference while Vallabhbhai J. Patel presided. About 50 delegates, including 30 female delegates and 250 visitors attended. Prominent persons who attended the conference were : (1) Pandit J. Nehru. (2) Mrs. . (3) K. F. Nariman. (4) S. V. Sovani. (5) Dr. N. S. Hardikar. (6) B. Sambamurti. (7) Mrs. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya. (9) Dr. D. D. Sathaye. (10) Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan. (11) Mrs. Avantikabai Gokhale. (12) Babasaheb Deshmukh. (13) Babu . (14) Chandulal Desai. (15) Mohanlal Sexena. (16) Abidally Jafferbhai. An extract from the Bombay Chronicle, dated the 10th August 1931, which gives full and correct report of the proceedings of the Conference is given below : At a special session of the Hindustani Seva Dal Conference held on Sunday afternoon in the Jinnah Hall a resolution was adopted confirming the decision of the Central Board of Volunteers to dissolve all the organisations of the Dal and handing it over to the Working Committee of the Congress. then declared the Conference open after making a short speech. He said the Conference was meant not to write the epitaph of the Seva Dal as Mrs. Naidu, who was asked to preside but could not do so owing to her departure to Hyderabad, had said in her letter. On the contrary it was meant to make the Seva Dal stronger. The Congress now wanted to bring the Dal under its direct control because it felt that the time had come when it should organise all the volunteers in the country and bring them under its own control. Proceeding he said " The fight we carried on last year impressed upon me the need of training and discipline among the volunteers. The volunteers that we got as the struggle proceeded had not the required training. Although we gained much by that struggle we also suffered in certain respects. It is but natural, when there is mass awakening. But if there is no discipline many evils are sure to creep in. It did happen like that in the last struggle. The volunteer organisations are in fact the very soul of the Congress. The very existence of the Congress depends on them because they are the army of the Congress. Our success depends on our non-violent army of volunteers. We expect that the changes will strengthen the Dal and make it more useful for the service of the country. 1931] CONGRESS SPEAKS FOR INDIA 61

Page 1684, para. 4093— Bombay City, S. B., August 10.—The Working Committee had decided to entrust the work to Dr. Hardikar and Pandit Jawaharlal. At present we are living in peace time. Whether the Truce is followed by a permanent peace or whether we have to start the struggle again we require the services of the Dal. As I said it is our army and we have to maintain it. Page 1694, para. 5008— Ahmedabad, August 8.—On August 2, Hari Prasad B. Desai, Natwar Tapishankar Pandit and Bhanushankar V. Acharya saw M. K. Gandhi in connection with the release of H. R. Rajah. Mr. Gandhi stated that he would do all in his power to effect Rajah's release. APPENDIX B (P. 6) after page 1695 Extract from Bombay Chronicle, dated 7th August 1931 Mahatmaji on Congress Responsibility A.l.C.C. Meeting, Bombay Speaking on the resolution, Gandhiji said : " This resolution has not been brought forward to deceive ourselves or Englishmen or the world at large. It has been moved to declare what is the creed of the Congress. The creed of the Congress is to strive for the attainment of ' ' by non-violent and peaceful means. We have decided to follow the path of peace, truth and righteousness. And so long as we believe in it and want the world also to believe that, that is our way then it becomes obligatory upon us to stick to it scrupulously in thought, word and deed. It also becomes our duty to prevent those who want to follow the opposite way. We must try to win them over. In 1920 when the Congress first adopted non-violence as its creed the argument was brought forward why the Congress should take any notice of what those who were not members of the Congress did. It was said that while Congress should follow its own way it should allow others to do what they liked. It was said that if Congress wanted it should stick to non-violence and even submit patiently to violence used against it by its opponents, but it has no business to advise others or come in their way. " Since the time this controversy started my reply to it has been that the Congress claims to represent and speak in the name of India and the fight it has been carrying on is for the good of every Indian whether he is a Hindu or a Muslim, a Christian or a Parsi. We claim to exert influence on them and we represent them and speak in their name. Our fight is not for Congressmen alone. If it were so our task would have been very simple. Last year when we carried on the struggle for freedom against the Government, the whole country was at our back. All those who participated in the struggle 62 MORE VALUE TO DELHI PACT [1931 were not Congress members. But our strength is immensely increased by working for them and accepting their help. The Government admits the strength of the Congress not because there are some thousand members in the roll of the Congress or there are a few lawyers, doctors, or other learned men in the Congress who can very well argue and discuss tilings. The Government recognises the strength of the Congress because it feels that the voice of the Congress has reached the villages. " Those who commit murders are also our brethren. We must exert influence on them. When we claim to represent them we also must accept the responsibility for what they do. " There is still a large number of people who say that I committed a blunder when I stopped the fight in Bardoli in 1921. They say that if we had continued our fight, then by this time we would have been free. I believe it is a mistake to think so. It is even now my firm belief that what I did in Bardoli in 1921, was right and India has immensely gained by that action. The present awakening in the country is due to that action. " On former occasions when we condemned such actions we also raised the spirits of sacrifice among the young men. But we praised it so much that I think we reached the limit when we passed the resolution at Karachi about Bhagatsingh and his comrades. I did so in the belief that it would have a sobering effect on the youths but I failed in that attempt. I am not unaware of the increased strength of the youths but it is being misused. I did not get the least success in those attempts. On the contrary it was exploited very badly and I am sorry for it." Reply to Critics . " There are those who accuse me of agreeing to that proposition at Karachi dishonestly because I wanted to placate the youths as I had to carry the Congress with me in ratifying the Delhi Pact and attend the Round Table Conference. My reply to these critics is that you cannot claim to know what is in my mind. It is God alone who knows That. But I can say this much that I shall never commit such blunder. If I do I shall not be true to the Congress. For others it may be a question of mere policy but for me it is my Dharma. How is it possible for me to commit such a grave blunder for a small matter ? I have never done it in my life. I do not attach so much value to the Round Table Conference as to sacrifice that great principle of my life for it. I certainly attach more value to the Delhi Pact." Official Violence I am also aware of the objection raised why the crimes of one young man are magnified, while the Government whose faults drive our young men to commit such actions is not criticised. I do not know if there is any need 1931] TOWARDS LONDON 63 on the part of the Congress to do that work. Those who demand such condemnation of the Government by the Congress do not understand the Congress. The very existence of the Congress is to destroy the present system of Government. The Congress wants to put a stop to what has been going on for years in this country. The Congress decided it when it first launched the non-co- operation movement. Pages 12-13— On 8th August Saturday evening Mr. Gandhi arrived and he addressed the House. He requested Satyamurti to withdraw the resolution tabled by him about the Indian States subjects. He consented. Mr. Gandhi said that at Karachi he had explained the position clearly as regards the States question. They should do nothing to embarrass the situation. He wondered as to why the question was now reopened before them. It was not one of the fundamental rights. He added that the question would be settled at the Round Table Conference if he went there at all. He was given a Vakalatnama by them and they must allow him to plead in his own way and present the case as he thought most suitable. In conclusion he said that adoption of the fundamental rights and the economic programme was intended to show what the Swaraj scheme of affairs would be alike. The addition of the article on the State subjects would not better or add to the enunciation of the rights. Mr. Gandhi then expressed his views and made an important statement as regards his proposed visit to London to join the Round Table Conference. He said that he had been doing all that was humanly possible for enabling him to proceed to London. They had entered into an agreement with the Government which required that he should go to London and participate in the Round Table Conference. The pact also required that he should place before the Conference their case and argue it out. He said he could not avoid going there but to enable him to do so the required atmosphere was necessary. He had been repeatedly saying after the Delhi pact that unless the communal issue was satisfactorily settled he would not proceed to London. Much was made of this statement of his by the foreign papers which declared that Gandhi wanted to back out from the Delhi agreement. In view of these criticisms the Working Committee decided that even if the settlement was not arrived at on the communal issue he should go to London. This did not show any weakness on the part of the Working Committee. He said that he was not going to London as the representative of the Hindus but as the representative of the Congress which did not recognise any caste, but represented the Indian Nation. As he was the servant of the Congress he had to bow down before the considerations of the Working Committee. This decision of the Working Committee had done away with one of the obstacles that were in his way and he thus advanced a step towards London. The other obstacle was the implementing of the truce terms by the Government. The arrest of workers and leaders would not make it a question of 64 CONGRESS FOR THE KISANS [1931 breaking the agreement but where it concerned the kisans it was quite a different matter to him. He said he could not allow the poor kisans to be harassed as it was their primary duty to save them and safeguard their interests. The Congress was no Congress if it was not for the kisans. Congress represented the Zamindars, the Rajas and the capitalists but its primary concern was to look to the interests of the peasants. The Congress could co-operate with the monied class so long as it did not harm the interest of the peasants, but it would fight against them for the rights of the kisans. He referred to the Jinnah Hall " goondaism". This incident immensely annoyed him and almost unnerved him. It was, therefore, no use of their sending a man who was so unnerved to represent their cause. At this stage Mr. Gandhi broke down due to emotions and his voice failed for a couple of minutes. Continuing after a slight pause he began to speak in English as follows : Although the atmosphere might be clear so far as the Government and the implementing of the truce terms were concerned there were still dangers lying in his way. Once more he referred to the Jinnah Hall incidents. He was trying to understand much of what was going on under the surface. He said that he was not fit to do any constructive work because they were at war against one another. To him all were alike and when he saw the conditions in India he felt that his place was not in London. Regarding his proceeding to London he said that that day he knew that he was not proceeding to London. He knew it was a humiliating position but he would leave no single stone unturned to see that he could go. He left it to Government to make whatever pronouncement they like over this announcement of his. On the question of the scheme for communal settlement Mr. Gandhi observed that it should not be discussed there. He was of opinion to drop the matter for public opinion. Page 1698, para. 5019— Dr. Choithram Pratabrai Gidwani came to Ahmedabad with M. K. Gandhi from Bombay on August 15. Page 1702, para. 5028 (4) — Ahmedabad, August 15.—The District Superintendent of Police remarks : " It is stated that Mr. Gandhi has postponed his departure for England in order to arrive at some settlement with Government as regards the collection of land revenue in Bardoli and Borsad Talukas, but the real reason appears to be that he has not sufficient confidence in Vallabhbhai Patel, and is afraid that he might revive the movement or start a similar campaign in his (Gandhi's) absence." 1931] THE FUTURE IS MOST UNCERTAIN 65

Natvar Tapishankar Pandit had an interview with M. K. Gandhi on August 18 and brought up the question of H. D. Rajah being still in jail. Mr. Gandhi informed him that the Government of Bombay were not prepared to release Rajah as the speeches for which he was convicted incited people to violence. Pandit then asked Mr. Gandhi to give him a message for his paper Kranti. The latter refused, saying that he would like to know the tone of the paper first. Page 1723, para. 5068— Ahmedabad, August 22.—Mr. M. K. Gandhi and party arrived at Ahmeda-bad from Bombay on August 15. He is staying at the Vidyapith and pays frequent visits to the Ashram. Page 1728, para. 5083 (2-A)— Karkana, August 22.—M. K. Gandhi's non-participation in the Round Table Conference has caused general discontent among the merchant class, while the Congress, who applaud his decision, are making preparations for a recurrence of Civil disobedience. Page 1729, para. 5083 (4)— Ahmedabad, August 22.—M. K. Gandhi addressed a gathering of 100 persons at the Vidyapith on August 15 after evening prayers as follows : " I have told you from the outset that my departure for London may be taken for granted only when I have gone on board the steamer at Bombay. You thought that I was jesting but you now realise that I was in earnest. It was at 2 p.m. last Thursday that I definitely knew that my departure had been cancelled. The Working Committee of the Congress has issued instructions that we should not even contemplate going to London. We may go to London if necessary, but our ultimate object is here. At present we are doing our utmost, but it is possible that, when we have achieved our desire, it will not be to our liking. We must persevere in our efforts. The sky is overcast; the future is most uncertain. If we have faith, the sky will clear. We will be put to a most severe test shortly, but we must be patient. The whole world admits that Gujarat excelled during the Civil Disobedience movement and it is certain that Gujarat will lead in the event of the struggle being revived. Many people enquire whether the fight will be resumed as the London programme has been cancelled. But we believe that negotiations are still in progress; if Government proclaims that the truce will not be observed any longer, we are quite prepared to continue the fight. If Government declares that the truce is to continue, well and good; we must act accordingly. We will see what happens in the next few days. Some are pleased that the London programme has been cancelled because they are 66 LEAVES FOR ENGLAND [1931 convinced that nothing will be achieved at the Round Table Conference. I have nothing to say to them, but I warn those who have faith in the Round Table Conference that they should not be optimistic as regards the eventual issue." Page 1752, para. 5112— Ahmedabad, August 29.—Miss Khurshed Naoroji, non-co-operator, anti-liquor worker, came to Ahmedabad from Bombay on August 23 to see M. K. Gandhi and accompanied him to Simla the same day. Other prominent persons who went with Gandhi to Simla are : Miss Mani, daughter of V. J. Patel, non-co-operator; Devdas Mohandas Gandhi, non-co-operator; Raghavacharya, non-co- operator, Gandhi's typist; Raghavendra, non-co-operator; Brij Kishan, non-co-operator; Madhukar M. Patel, non-co-operator with extreme views; Vallabhbhai Jhaverbhai Patel and Mahadev Haribhai Desai. Page 1753, para. 5112—

Name Arrived Left Remarks

On From On For M. K. Gandhi 29th August Simla 29th August London . Left by S. S. Rajputana. 1931 in 1931. Bombay. Page 1790, para. 5166— Bombay City, S. B., September 4.—During the week the following meetings were held in the city :

Serial No., date and place Auspices Audience

2. 29th August 1931 Bombay Provincial Congress 50,000 Committee.

Speakers Remarks

K. F. Nariman (President), M. Mr. M. K. Gandhi advised the people to observe the truce terms, K. Gandhi. to follow the creed of non-violence and to ply Charkha.