VII SWADESHI AND BOYCOTT

SWADESHI AND BOYCOTT

[The idea of Swadeshi was clearly expounded with its economic implications, in the forties of the last century by the penetrating genius of Lokahitawadi. It was, however, scientifically propounded by Justice Ranade about 1872-73. The propagation and organisation of the idea were carried on methodically under the auspices of the Sarvajanik Sabha by Sarvajanik Kaka (Shri G. V. Joshi) about 1875 and onwards by opening Share Capital Shops at different places. The Commercial aspect of it was seen und understood by men like Ambalal Sakarlal, Premabhai Himabhai, Manibhai Jashbhai of Cutch, Ranchodlal Chotalal and others who formed the Swadeshi Udyam Vardhak Mandali (1876) at Ahmedabad. The Maharaja Sayajirao of Baroda has always encouraged Swadeshi industries. It is interesting to know that as early as the seventies of the last century a leader like Sarvajanik Kaka took a vow to put on hand spun and hand woven khadi.

Swadeshi became a political weapon after the partition of Bengal and was followed by its counterpart, boycott of foreign goods. This created a rift in the Congress leaders. Not that the moderates did not appreciate the efficacy of this weapon but perhaps they were not prepared to displease the rulers to that extent. But the Bengali moderates, it appears, differed from them slightly. At Surat Surendranath had declared that " Swadeshi was boycott and boycott was Swadeshi", thus assuring that the principle of boycott was acceptable to them as a political weapon.

The extracts given here include one important letter published by the Hon. G. K. Gokhale (June 1894) as the Secretary of the Sarvajanik Sabha calling a. meeting to protest against the Government policy of excluding foreign textile goods from duty. Mr. Gokhale in his letter called upon his friends to take a vow not to purchase Manchester articles until at least duty was imposed on them. The " Kesari" had reproduced this letter (5th February, 1907) when Gokhale was found unwilling to support the boycott movement as a political weapon. The other important extracts show how the wave of this agitation had reached to the remote corners and how the students had taken a prominent part in the demonstration. Kolhapur again came in the forefront when the High School pupils refused to accept for writing the answer papers which were of foreign make. They walked out of the school (September 1905) and boycotted the examination. Prof. Vijapurkar, the staunch propagator of Swadeshi, was made to leave the College and a large number of students were

605 punished. The Gokak incident also shows how the young students organised the processions and threw away the sweetmeats in the street distributed to them by the Collector. In Ahmedabad they had offered to coach students from other provinces like Bengal in the arts of weaving, carding etc.

The bonfire of foreign cloth was a more powerful and also aggressive aspect of this agitation. It is note-worthy to find that a bonfire of English clothes was made at Ahmednagar as early as 1896. Shri S. K. Jog, pleader, had taken lead in organising this. They had organised public meeting to protest against cotton duty. They advocated boycott of English goods and on the Holi day they burnt their English clothes in the fire. This bonfire must be among the earliest of its kind in the country. Poona organised a bonfire of cloth and other articles of foreign make (October 1905) and the initiative, it apears, was taken by Shri V. D. Savarkar and his friends. Such bonfires were organised at Nasik, Belgaum and other places also.

The constructive part of this movement is found in the text of the vow of Swadeshi which includes propagation of " The meaning of ". They had opened an Industrial school at Dharwar. A cap factory for preparing fur caps for muslims who had taken the vow of Swadeshi, was started in Poona. The newspaper extracts show with what unanimity all of them had accepted this weapon.]

SWADESHI MOVEMENT (1905 to 1909)

[FROM BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE, 1905 TO 1909.]

The following extracts give an idea of the intensity and extent of agitation for during the period from 1905 to 1909 : —

KOLHAPUR STUDENTS CANED

Kolhapur, 16th September 1905 (Page 283, paragraph 927;)

The students of the Rajaram High School, Kolhapur, assembled for the Preliminary Examination for candidates for Matriculation, bad issued to them the usual foolscap paper. By what was evidently preconcerted action, they refused to use it as it was of British manufacture and tore the paper up, clamouring for a native-made

606 article. On Mr. Lucy, the Principal, remonstrating with the boys and attempting to restore order, he was insulted. Mr. Lucy declined, therefore, to allow any of the malcontents to take part in the examination unless they testified their penitence by submitting to corporal punishment. After a while, persuaded to that end by Mr. Vijapurkar, the Professor of Sanskrit, they gave in and accepted their canings. Mr. Vijapurkar is a fire-brand and a great supporter of the Swadeshi movement. It is generally believed that he instigated the insubordinate behaviour of the boys, but when he found the result was serious beyond his expectations, used his influence, which immediately allayed the trouble ".

THE POLITICAL AGENT OF KOLHAPUR WRITES

Kolhapur, 23rd September 1905. (Page 291, Paragraph 944.)

" In continuation of my report last week on the insubordinate behaviour of the boys of the Rajaram High School in refusing to use paper of British manufacture for their examination, I understand that about 50 boys were implicated and all received canings on the hand. The outbreak was clearly pre-concerted, and none of the masters, of whom all were present, gave the slightest assistance to the Principal or Vice-Principal in maintaining order. The temperate action of Mr. Lucy has not been appreciated, and there is still a spirit of insubordination abroad in the school. The emeute commenced by a boy holding up a piece of paper and drawing the attention of the others to the fact that there was a crown on it; he then tore it up, as did all the others.

" Having regard to the disloyalty to Government displayed, I have cancelled my undertaking to preside at the prize-giving ceremony, which was to have taken place to-morrow, and have requested Mr. Lucy to inform the school that, as the representative of Government at Kolhapur, I decline, under the circumstances, to do them, that honour. There will be no prize giving this year. His Highness is much incensed at the behaviour of the boys and masters and has dispensed with the services of Professor Vijapurkar as a person not fitted to be the guide of the youth. Other masters will, I understand, be removed or transferred. Mr. Lucy informs me that he has told the rebellious students, who want to appear for the Matriculation Examination, that they have rendered it impossible for him to grant them the certificate of good moral character, without which they are unable to appear. This will, I think, have a good effect".

607 TILAK TO MEET WATCHA

(Page 292, paragraph 944.)

Bal Gangadhar Tilak arrived in Bombay on the 18th instant, put up with Mahadev Rajaram Bodas at Girgaum Back Road and returned to Poona on the 20th idem.

The object of his visit to Bombay was, it is said, to interview Dinshaw Edalji Watcha for the purpose of asking him to exert his influence with the Bombay Mill-owners with a view to encouraging the Swadeshi movement by supplying Bengal merchants with dhotis produced at the mills of Bombay at a moderate rate. It is said that a private meeting of some of the mill-owners was held at the residence of Mr. Watcha, in which the question was discussed. The mill-owners, however, looked at the question from a purely business point of view and declined to supply any goods except at market rates.

The undernoted mills have agreed to supply dhotis : —

(1) Swadeshi Mills (Agents, Tata and Sons), Coorla.

(2) Khatau Makanji Mills, Haines Road.

(3) The Bombay United Spinning and Weaving Co. Ltd., Charni Road ".

MEETING AT POONA

Poona, 9th October 1905. (Page 322, Paragraph 984.)

At 6 p.m. on the 1st instant a mass meeting of the students was held in Joshi Hall under the presidency of Narsinha Chintaman Kelkar, who addressed the meeting. He said that the action of the students in support of the Swadeshi movement was justifiable and condemned the actions of the Amraoti and Kolhapur school authorities in punishing the students who supported it in these places, and the dismissing of Professor Vishnu Govind Vijapurkar. After this several students spoke, among them one Savarkar spoke strongly urging his countrymen to despise everything that is English and to abstain from purchasing foreign goods. He suggested that all

608 students should burn their clothes made of English and foreign cloth on Dassera day at Lakdipool. The following resolutions were passed : —

(1) That the Students of Poona fully sympathise with the students of Amraoti and KoIhapur for the injustice done to them by the Educational Authorities.

(2) That after the annual examination is over the students should work as volunteers of the movement.

(3) That all English and European-made clothes now in use be burnt in a fire to be specially created for the purpose at Vithal Mandir near Lakdipool on Dessera.

Ex-Professor Paranjpe and the President in eulogizing the student-speakers said that the effect of their speeches would be far-reaching in their effects on the minds of the people. Subsequently Shankar Ramchandra Deodhar, a student in Sub-Overseers' class in the College of Science, sang songs specially composed by him, advising his countrymen to be resolute in supporting the movement. A vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the meeting to a close at 3 p.m.

Later on a suggestion was made by the president that the clothes instead of being burnt should be given to the poor, and this was agreed upon. Some 800 people were present.

A PUBLIC MEETING

At 10 p.m. on the 4th instant a public meeting of Shastris, Puraniks and students, numbering about 300 was held in the Onkareshwar temple to discuss the Swadeshi movement. Ram Shastri Joshi, Krishnaji Karmarkar, Shivram Mahadev Paranjpe and two schoolboys made speeches. The theme was that the poverty of India was due to the British rule and consequent extinction of indigenous industries which were not encouraged by the Rulers. To resuscitate these industries it was necessary to support the Swadeshi movement.

ANOTHER STUDENTS' MEETING

At 4 p.m. on the 7th instant the students of the New Preparatory School (Otherwise called Vidyalaya) held a private

609 meeting in their school to discuss the steps which should be adopted for the burning etc., of the European-made clothes. After collecting all the clothes and other articles, such as umbrellas, velvet caps, lead pencils, buttons, etc., from those who were willing to destroy them, all the students, headed by Shivram Mahadev Paranjpe marched down to Tilak's Wada and thence joined the procession through Lakdi-pool to Phulachiwadi, in Haveli Taluka, near the Fergusson College. At 7 p.m. Shankar Ramchandra Deodhar and Shankar Pandurang Mahajan, the former, a student in the Science College and the latter, a teacher in the New Preparatory School, sang some Marathi songs sarcastically referring to the worship of the " Shami" plant which is said to be an emblem of independence They advised the public to destroy the thorns (referring to those who are opposed to their views) grown in their fields where seeds of independence are sown.

BONFIRE OF FOREIGN CLOTHES

After this Shivram Mahadev Paranjpe in addressing the meeting explained the object thereof and said that they did not intend to be rowdy or disorderly, but to be disciplinary and constitutional as constitutional agitation was sure to be crowned with success. The crowd then proceeded to a spot where European clothes, etc., had been heaped, and the speaker told them to set fire to it. He said that the wave of the Swadeshi movement which originated in Bengal had travelled over the length and breadth of the Peninsula and was nowhere so warmly welcomed as in Poona, adding that Indian minds are gradually being enlivened by patriotic feelings and urged his countrymen to be resolute in their action. in echoing the same sentiments said that although it had been proposed to give the European clothes to the poor instead of destroying them by fire, still it was not right to do so from the point of patriotism and religion, as what is bad for one is bad for all. The clothes were then burnt. In conclusion he said that the agitation was not new to Poona having been started thirty years ago by the late Ganesh Wasudev Joshi and supported by Babu Sisir Kumar Ghose, the brother of Motilal Ghose, editor of Amrita Bazar Patrika of Cacutta. At the present time also the movement has the full sympathy of the Bengali students here, and in informing the public that the boycott had created anxiety in Lancashire and Manchester, advised the students and others present there to be resolute thereafter in purchasing Swadeshi articles and to cherish at heart the gravity of the celebration. The crowd dispersed at 8 p.m. with cries of Shivaji and Ramdas Maharaj ki Jai etc. About 5,000 persons mostly Brahmins, were present.

610 (The Inspector-General of Police was present with the idea of hearing the speeches, but nothing was done until he had left when the leaders remarked that now that the cloud had passed they might begin).

LADIES' "HALAD KUNKU "

On the 6 th instant between 5 and 6 p.m. about 120 high-caste Brahman ladies assembled at Natu's temple, Shunwar Peth, for the " Halad Kunku " ceremony.

Parvatibai Bapat presided, and essays on the Swadeshi Question were read by Saraswati Bhanu and Miss Bhatkhande. It was resolved that the purchase of glass bangles and similar articles of European manufacture should be discontinued.

IN THANA DISTRICT

Thana, November 15th.

On the 5th instant Shivram Mahadev Paranjpe, Editor of the Kal, and Bhaskar Balwant Bhopatkar, Editor of the Bhala, arrived at Umbergaon. A meeting was convened at 4-30 p.m. in a mandap. The following proposals were then made by Keshav Karulkar :—

1. To encourage swadeshi articles.

2. To raise a fund for Swadeshi articles

Bhopatkar then rose and said that there was nothing disloyal in taking part in the Swadeshi movement, that if any one had told them it was untrue, and every one must enlist in the movement for the sake of religion, national interests and lastly for their own interests.

PARANJPE'S SPEECH

This was followed by a speech by Paranjpe, who said : " It is the duty of the Government to encourage native industries, but since they had failed to do so, we must shift for ourselves as strenuously as we can. If any one thought Government was encouraging native industries, they were greatly mistaken. If it had been true, why should the Government of Bengal have issued the circular against

611 students taking part in the movement? The Government were leading them astray, and had just started an agitation in favour of the mill-hands. The meaning of all this was unmistakable. We must exert ourselves. Orders for cloth on Manchester and Lancashire to the extent of six crores of rupees were usually sent every Dassera, but as no orders were sent this year a considerable agitation was going on in Manchester which proves the truth of the Marathi proverb " when you press the nostrils you cause the mouth to open". I, therefore, urge every one of you to use country cloth. Lord Curzon has done no good to India. If here and there he has done something it has been far outweighed by the mischief he has wrought during his regime. Secretly the Bengal Chamber of Commerce had convened a meeting to raise funds for the erection of a memorial to Lord Curzon, but none of us should join. Lord Curzon had benefitted Europeans who were welcome to raise a memorial. The Police who were so eager to carry tales to their superiors should remember that they are natives of India and ought primarily to serve the interests of the country and secondarily those of their rulers. Antaji Damodhar Kale, the founder of the " Paisa Fund" and Vinayak Shivram Pimputkar then proposed to raise a paisa fund to start a sugar manufactory, the sugar being made from toddy.

I heard the other day in Thana that the Khatau Mills in Bombay were bleaching the marks off the Manchester clothes, stamping them with their own stamps and selling them as their own and swadeshi, the reason of this being their inability to turn out sufficient cloth in their own mills to meet the demand. How far this is corrtct I am unable to say, but I was given to understand that it was a fact, but the owners of the mills were denying it. (Page 373, Paragraph 1014)

A SWADESHI BAZAR AT MATUNGA

(FROM BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE, 1906.)

Bombay, 7th May 1906.

On the 6th instant between the hours of 1 and 7 p.m. a Swadeshi Bazar was held at Gopi Talao, Matunga. About 30 stalls were erected where country-made sugar, matches, soap, cloth, caps and umbrellas were offered for sale. One Kaikhusrao Sohrab Joshi of the firm of Sohrab H. Joshi & Co., Silk manufacturers, Surat, had a stall for the sale of country-made silk. He also exhibited a hand-loom shuttle by means of which the silk cloth was manufactured. One Govind

612 Dinkar Datte, a Chitpawan Brahman, distributed sweetmeat and pan supari to the visitors. The number of people at the fair at no time exceeded 300. (Paragraph 342, page 160)

A SWADESHI EXHIBITION

An exhibition of Native articles is to be held in Baroda City on the 26th instant. Temples in Baroda now use only sugar made in this country and a resolution to this effect has also been passed by the residents of Sankheda and Bahadarpur in His High ness the Gaekwar's territory. (Page 319, paragraph 646b)

SWADESHI AT AHMEDABAD

Ahmedabad, 4th September 1906.

The Criminal Investigation Department report ;

" On the 11th August a gathering of some students numbering about 50 was held in a building known as " Dolabrao' Dohla " situated on the Richey Road, Ahmedabad, at which some 15 Bengalis took part. It is said the meeting was convened at the instance of the Bengalis to celebrate the birthday of the Swadeshi Movement. The National Bengali Anthem, Bande Mataram, rendered in Gujarathi verse was first sung by the Gujerathi students to the accompaniment of a harmonium. The Bengais then sang Bande Mataram in their own language and this was followed by a song which was rendered at the Barisal Conference. Mr. Jivanlal Varajrai Desai, Bar-at-Law who attended the gathering, then delivered a short speech praising the spirit and perseverance of the Bengalis in connection with the Swadeshi movement and offering his assistance in this cause whenever and wherever needed. After three cheers (Bande Mataram) the meeting dispersed. Two weaving Masters of the Mills at Ahmedabad—(1) Chunilal Narayan and (2) Keshavlal Mahasukhram who attended the last Congress held in Benares offered during the Congress to instruct Bengalis and any natives without charge in weaving, carding and the like. The Bengalis who are at present in Ahmedabad have accepted the offer and are under instruction. They arrived in Ahmedabad at the beginning of the current year soon after the Congress was over ". [Page 319, paragraph 646(c)]

613 A SWADESHI MEETING IN DEKAWADA

The C. C, Viramgam, reports that a meeting was held at a village called Dekawada on the 22nd August. The meeting was attended by the village people of Dekawada and some 5 to 7 Banias of Gunjala. They gave out that foreign sugar was bleached with the blood of bullocks and pigs. They got the people to then resolve to use only Deshi sugar. This matter of only using country sugar seems to be now very general in the Viramgam Taluka. On the 23rd August another meeting was held at Mandal when one Shravik Sadhu named Dayasagar, who had come from Bombay some time ago, got up and said that the saffron used by Banias, etc., in religious ceremonies (mostly received from Spain) was artificial and not vegetable saffron and was mixed with blood and spirit. The Mandal Shraviks have now offered saffron from Amritsar and, it is being sold to the public. [Page 349, paragraph 714]

THE PANDHARPUR INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION

Sholapur, 6th November 1906.

The Pandharpur Industrial Exhibition was opened by the Chief of Miraj on the 20th October. The Chief delivered a speech exhorting the people to shake off their lethargy and emulate other countries in their efforts to foster home industries. The Honourable Mr. Gokhale, B. G. Tilak and Achut Bhaskar Desai were present, but did not speak. Financially the exhibition is a complete failure and I look upon it as a pretext for assembling in Pandharpur a host of speakers to carry on a propaganda in Tilak's interest. Some of the exhibits are very good specimens of Native handicraft, but in the majority of cases the material used is not of country manufacture. Nearly every stall displays pictures of Shivaji and in the Fine Arts Gallery I counted seven paintings describing episodes of his life including Afzul Khan's death depicted, of course, to suit the Brahman version of the incident. The Agricultural exhibits excited no interest whatever as far as I was able to judge. Some Gondhalis from Kolhapur sang the ballad of the Rani of Jhansi in the Ave Theatre, and Narayan Shivram Barve at the request of the audience, delivered a lecture on the Swadeshi movement urging his hearers to use sugar of country manufacture only and eschew the use of all foreign made goods. [Page 438, (paragraph 887 (c)]

614 SWADESHI PLAY Bijapur, November 15th. The Swajan Hitaishi Sangeet Natak Mandli gave two more performances of their swadeshi play here on the night of the 3rd and 7th instant. [Page 462, paragraph 934(c)]. SAWANTWADI (FROM BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICES ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE, 1907.) Belgaum, March 16th. The Swadeshi movement which appeared to be dying out in this State has recently been revived by the local pleaders. These men are endeavouring to induce the merchants and shop- keepers in Wadi town to stop importing and dealing in English goods altogether. Some of the merchants refuse to be persuaded and are, therefore, threatened in various ways. The people as a rule make little distinction between Swadeshi goods and those of foreign manufacture, but some of them allow themselves to be induced by the above-named pleaders and others in order to avoid being mentioned in the Sar-desai Vijaya newspaper, which has become an organ for vindicating private grudges ". The District Magistrate writes :—" The Belgaum pleaders are doing all they can to keep the Swadeshi agitation alive. Constant speeches are delivered. During the Holi festival the effigy of a " native traitor " dressed in European clothes was carried in procession by school-boys amid cries of " Curzon " and " Edward " and burnt. Mr. G. B. Deshpande, a pleader who was recently elected to the municipality by means of the most discreditable practices, was present, and delivered a little speech. It is reported that some of the school-boys afterwards received medals from Mr. Natu". (Page 100, paragraph 235) THE DISTRICT INDUSTRIAL CONFERENCE Dharwar, May 20th. The District Industrial Conference was held in the Darbar Hall in Dharwar on the 11th and 12th instant, with the Honourable Daji Abaji Khare in the chair. The speeches were all Swadeshi- cum-Boycott and it was resolved to establish an industrial school, towards the maintenance of which a sum of Rs. 1,500 (The D. M. was told that Rs. 60,000 of which Dharwar and Belgaum were to find Rs. 25,000 each in four years' time and Bijapur Rs. 10,000. Object for a Technical School at Belgaum to be taught by Japanese trained teachers) should be contributed by Dharwar, Karwar, Bijapur and Belgaum. [Page 232, paragraph 914(c)]

615 SWADESHI VOW

(FROM BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE, FOR THE YEAR 1908.)

Dharwar, January, 23rd. Enclosed is the translation of a pledge which the Extremist Coterie of Dharwar endeavours to get people to sign. Bande Mataram.—" With respect to the Almighty and the Motherland I swear to make it a point to help the Swadeshi movement, to explain to the public the true meaning of Swadeshi, to spread boycott, to promote the growth of national education, to look to the public health and to spread the meaning of self-government. I further swear that I will neither purchase nor use any kind of foreign manufactured goods, whether dear or cheap." [Page 53, para. 83 (6)]

REACTION OF THE SCHOOL BOYS TO SWEETS MADE OF FOREIGN SUGAR Belgaum, January 23. The Gokak Sub-Inspector reports that on 6th January 1908, the District Magistrate (Mr. Brendon) distributed the prizes to the Marathi schoolboys in the Anglo-Vernacular School, Gokak, Mr. Artal, District Deputy Collector being present. Afterwards Mr. Brendon gave the boys some sweets and left in the evening for Dhupdal, some eight miles off. Next day the boys had a procession through the streets and some of the sweets were stuck together to form a garland and stuck on a pole and paraded through the town with cries of Bande Mataram, Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai and " burn foreign things". The rest of the sweets were thrown at the garlands and left on the ground untouched. It is said that the garlands were made at the instigation of one of the teachers by name Venkappa, who belongs to the Kolhapur State. I am told that last year Mr. Brendon gave a treat to some 250 Belgaum High School-boys, and took them to Gokak to see the falls, giving them refreshments and sweets. It was then the intention of the boys to throw away the sweets had they been made of foreign sugar, but the Mamlatdar hearing of this, brought sweets made of country sugar. I mention this to show the signs of the times and to the extent kindness may be abused. I hear on this occasion some of the teachers refused to go to Gokak and that they, the absentees, may have coached

616 the boys as to how they should act. On the last occasion the sweets were thrown away, as they were made of foreign sugar. [Pages 58-59, paragraph 83(c)]

A STRONG SWADESHI PARTY IN A SMALL VILLAGE East Khandesh, November 15.

The Inspector tells me that there is a strong Swadeshi party in Mehunbara in Chalisgaon Taluka. In this small village they take in the Kesari, Kal, Bhala, Rashtra Mat and Bombay Vaibhav. This fact speaks for itself. [Page 1080, paragraph 1670 (b)]

A FACTORY OF SWADESHI CAPS FOR MUSLIMS, POONA

(FROM BOMBAY PRESIDENCY POLICE ABSTRACT OF INTELLIGENCE. 1909.) Bombay, March 31. The C.I.D. report: N. B. Deshpande, Manager of the Bande Mataram Camp Factory, Budhwar Peth, Poona, is distributing handbills in Poona, stating that as the Muhammadans in Poona have decided to follow the lead of their brethren in the Punjab and use swadeshi caps, the factory has been making caps at their request ". (Page 288, paragraph 687, S.B.)

A SWADESHI MINT Satara, August 7. The District Magistrate writes.—" An extraordinary story has reached me to the effect that there exists, at Bellary or somewhere in the district of that name, a swadeshi mint which issues Swadeshi coins. These coins, it is said, pass current among the local devotees of Swaraj, and their use has spread as far as Calcutta. [(Page 730, paragraph 1641)]

BOYCOTT FOREIGN ARTICLES

(FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 6TH SEPTEMBER 1902, PAGE 24, PARAGRAPH 32.)

Arunodaya of 31st August 1902.

Let the native of India reflect cooly upon his present condition and the number of evils he is labouring under. On mature consideration he will realise that he is surrounded by too many enemies in

617 the shape of articles of foreign manufacture which he is required to buy for house hold use. It would be difficult to count the number of these thieves, so to speak, who have entered his house and are plundering his property. It will not do to fight them all at once. His energies will then be dissipated in a desultory struggle with too many foes carried on simultaneously. It is meet therefore, that he should pursue one thief at a time and expel him from his house. Let him first endeavour, say, to boycott foreign fabrics worn by him at present and attempt to get enough food to eat. For want of salt and nutritive food, our countrymen are not as able-bodied as their ancestors. What little strength we do still possess should, however be turned to good account. We should concentrate our energies to oust foreign fabrics from the country. It is no use depending for guidance upon our educated brethren in the matter, because they have shown themselves to be too supple and subservient and are seen to accept with alacrity the slavery of Government service." (In another article, the paper writes :—The Indian Military authorities indented recently upon a leather manufactory at Cawnpore for a fresh supply of boots because the articles supplied by it on a former occasion were found satisfactory. The English leather merchants, however, have waxed furiously indignant over the matter and openly question the propriety of the course adopted by the Indian Government. Should not our people take an object lesson from this and endeavour to stop the drain of India's money caused by the purchase of English Goods ? We should even send a deputation of our representatives to wait upon the authorities with a request that all the clothing required for the use of the Civil and Military Departments in the country should be purchased as far as possible in the country itself).

SWADESHI ASSOCIATION AT AHMEDABAD

(FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 24TH JANUARY 1903, PAGE 29, PARAGRAPH 50.)

Proja Bandhu of 18th January (English Columns).

" There is now a consensus of educated public opinion in India on the importance of granting protection to our growing industries ; and in the absence of our Government making any effort in this direction, it is, in our opinion, the bounden duty of every Indian to afford voluntarily what protection lies within his power to the industries of his country. It is with a peculiar delight, therefore, that we hail the formation of an Indigenous Articles Protection Association

618 in our city. Even to those who take a vow to use only homemade articles, it is a matter of no small difficulty to obtain information about the manufacture and the place of sale of such articles. To such people, a mart like the Indian Stores of Calcutta is a great help. But in the absence of such a mart, the local Association 'shall keep the members informed of the places where home-made articles of daily use can be brought.' We are glad to find our views tally exactly with the aims and objects of the Association. We are not of course sanguine of immediate success, for in the case of such movements time is an important factor. But the formation of the Association marks a new era, a new development in the history of our country. It means awakening, and it means action. We hope the movement is not the outcome of fleeting enthusiasm; but that it will live and endure through years and eventually grow into a mighty effort."

STUDENTS AND THE SWADESHI MOVEMENT

(FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 30TH SEPTEMBER 1905, PAGE 25, PARAGRAPH 32.)

Maharatta of 24th September, Kesari, 26th September 1905.

" It pains us to see that students ' guilty' of a natural partiality for the Swadeshi movement should be treated so harshly as they have actually been in some places. The case of the Amraoti students has already come to the notice of our readers. We now learn that modfiying the recommendation of the Head Master of the Amraoti High School for their expulsion, the Director of Public Instruction, Central Provinces, has ordered the ring-leaders to be absolutely rusticated for one year and their followers for a like period in case they do not re-join the Boarding-house. The boys so punished are, moreover, not to be admitted in any other school in the Central Provinces. In another case the affair has ended with severe caning. The boys of the Kolhapur High School, who had prayed for Swadeshi paper being supplied to them during their Preliminary examination, found on the last day of the examination that the paper was of foreign manufacture. They thereupon flared up with discontent, indignantly tore the paper to pieces then and there and left the hall notwithstanding the orders of the Principal to the contrary. As a result each boy, irrespective of his age and physical condition, received a uniform caning, in which the European Principal and the Parsi Vice-Principal actively assisted. In a big private school at Poona,

619 again, things had very nearly come to this pass, but the teachers discreetly enough maintained the school discipline by acceding to the humble and reasonable prayer of the students to be allowed only Swadeshi paper for writing their answers on. In the present crisis when the tide of popular feeling in favour of the Swadeshi movement is very high, boys might be expected to behave no better or no worse than boys. We pray the teachers to remember that ' there are some faults so nearly allied to excellence that we can scarce weed out the vice without eradicating the virtue,' as Goldsmith says. A boy at school is naturally in a stage of life when the mind is very impressionable. Though the breadth of his mind is necessarily limited at the time, still there is nothing to prevent him from being animated with the same glow of high principle and noble impulse as mark out his elders as public-spirited men or even patriots. Consequently even a school-boy may often exhibit an attitude of mind towards his teachers, which may dangerously border on insubordination. But just as in the larger world outside the school premises, an illegal act can possibly be a highly moral one, so also within the school itself a student may often feel an impulse to do acts which, though likely to transgress the technical limits laid down by a severe code of discipline, may yet deserve to be secretly admired and dealt with only by a gentle hand to save appearances before the public. Supposing that the school-boys asked to be supplied with only Swadeshi paper for writing their answers on, where is the prejudice to school discipline and where the harm to public policy, if their wish were gratified?...... When it is a standing rule of Government that paper for office use, among other stores, should, as far as possible, be taken from paper factories within the country, when a whole mill like the Reay Paper Mill of Poona counts Government as its largest and most constant customer, we fail to see how it should be regarded as culpable in a school-boy to say that he would like to have Swadeshi paper to write upon, if possible. Is not the repression of such eminently reasonable and laudable impulses inconsistent with the boast that the object of all education is or should be the formation of character ?" (The Kesari learns that as a sequal of the case of breach of discipline among the students of the Rajaram High School, Kolhapur, Mr. Bijapurkar, Professor of Sanskrit at the Rajaram College, has been dismissed from service and that 65 students have been refused permission to appear at the ensuing Matriculation Examination. The paper ironically expresses its astonishment that scandals like the the above are not of more freequent occurrence in a Durbar, which is animated by an inveterate desire to carry favour with Europeans and to anticipate the wishes of Political Officers. It considers the whole affair as a striking proof of the decadence of the country.)"

620 SWADESHI SPIRIT IN NATIVE ARMY

(FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 11TH NOVEMBER 1905, PAGE 27, PARAGRAPH 33.)

Gujarati of 5th November 1905.

The Swadeshi movement is gathering greater strength every day. It is not, therefore, surprising that the Swadeshi spirit should have permeated the ranks of the army. It was recently reported in the newspapers that the soldiers of some regiments in Bengal requested the Military authorities to allow them to wear native-made cloth. This report has been officially contradicted from Simla, but we know how to take such contradictions at their true worth. We for one have not the least doubt as to the correctness of the original report. The native army is no doubt under the control of Government, but it is Swadeshi at heart. Government servants, too, of all ranks, whether employed in the Police, Railway, Post or Telegraph Departments, are actuated by the same spirit. It is incumbent upon Government in the interests of the country, which it is pledged to protect, to foster and not put down the Swadeshi spirit among its employees. If Government fails to do so, it becomes guilty of treason against the country. Another lesson to be learnt from the spread of Swade-shism in the army is that the existence of the British Indian Empire depends solely upon the will of the people and not upon the strength of the army. The authorities in England should, therefore, put an immediate end to the policy of reaction and repression, which has been inaugurated by Lord Curzon and which has done so much to widen the gulf between the rulers and the ruled.

SWADESHI MEETINGS

Kesari, 10th October, Karnatak Vritta, 10th October 1905.

On the Dasara day a third monster meeting in connection with the Swadeshi movement was held at Nasik under the presidency of Mr. Daji Saheb Ketkar. Speeches were delivered and a bon- fire was made of clothes of British manufacture. At Poona the work of taking the signatures of those who desire to take a pledge to use country-made goods as far as possible, is going on at three different places. Last Wednesday a meeting of students of the priestly class was held at which a resolution was passed in favour of using country-made goods as far as possible. On Friday, the 6th instant, about 125 Deccanni women met at the Mahadeo's temple belonging to Bala

621 Saheb Natu for performing the usual ceremony of Haladkunku. Speeches were made and essays read and it was resolved not to use English-made articles, such as bangles, rock-oil chintz, children's toys, glass utensils, etc., as far as possible. (The Karnatak Vritta gives a report of a Swadeshi meeting held at Hosur, Belgaum).

BONFIRE OF FOREIGN ARTICLES—1905

(FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 14th OCTOBER 1905, PAGES 39/40, PARAGRAPHS 62/63.)

Bhaala, 11th October, Daily Telegraph, 10th October, , 10th October, Jame- Jamshed, 12th October, Dnyan Prakash, 9th October, Sudharak, 9th October, Samarth, 11th October, Parikshak, Dharwar Vritta, 12th October 1905.

This year's celebration of the Vijayadashmi festival at Poona was attended with unprecedented enthusiasm. A hand-bill was distributed in the morning announcing that a bon-fire of English goods would be made during the festival, and the people of Poona rejoiced at the prospect of being able in some measure to emulate their ancestors, who were accustomed to inaugurate great undertakings on the occasion. A large concourse of people having assembled in the court- yard in front of the Maharashtra Vidyalaya at the appointed hour, a procession was formed. The procession was accompanied by a cart carrying the English goods destined to be offered as a sacrifice, and many passers-by added their quota to the heap as the procession wended its way. Some native drummers sat in the cart, and the sound of their drums seemed to ring the following appeal into the ears of the processionists : —" O descendants of Shivaji, kick out English goods from your homes and take them to the place of sacrifice." By the time the procession reached the Chatorshingi maidan, the sun had set, going, as it were, to inform Shivaji in heaven of the wonderful spectacle he had seen. A funeral pyre of English goods was prepared and drenched with kerosene oil, and a torch was applied to the heap. When it burst into flame, the eyes of the spectators sparkled with patriotism, and their prolonged impotency having been destroyed by the bon-fire, their breast throbbed with hopes of future greatness. Mr. Tilak then delivered a speech, in the course of which he defended the action of the processionists in making a bonfire of English goods, and declared that, if the sacrifices commenced that day were persevered in, India was bound to see better and more prosperous days. He then called upon the people to walk three times round the bon-fire, apply the ashes to, their temples and take an oath never to purchase English cloth even at the risk of having to go about naked. Three cheers having been given for Shivaji at

622 the conclusion of this speech, the aforesaid oath was taken by those assembled, and the meeting dispersed. (The Daily Telegraph reports : The men forming the procession were robed exclusively in orthodox Indian dress. At 3 p.m Mr. R. B. Stewart, Inspector-General of Police and Mr. F. H. Vincent, Assistant to the Inspector-General, drove up in a motor car to the Lakdipool Bridge and awaited the arrival of the procession, but no demonstration occurred while they were there. Soon after they left at 7 p.m., however, the processionists made a great bon-fire of all the European materials, including cloths, shirts, collars, etc., and then followed a spirited address, in Marathi, to thousands of the processionists, urging a determined attitude in favour of the Swadeshi movement. This occurred in the Haveli Taluka a few miles beyond the City." The Poona correspondent of the Bombay Samachar adds the following details regarding the demonstration :—The assemblage at the Maharashtra Vidyalaya was presided over by Mr. Paranjpe, editor of the Kal. Mr. Savarkar, a student of the Fergusson College, who took a prominent part in the movement and was the mover of the proposition brought forward at a previous meeting in Poona for burning foreign goods, called upon the audience to cast away all foreign articles in their possession. This appeal was quickly responded to and caps, coats, umbrellas, etc., began to pour in on all sides from the audience. The articles were collected in a heap and a procession was formed. Nearly 2,000 students and 3,000 adults, including Messrs. Paranjpe, Tilak and Shrimant Bale Saheb Natu, took part in the procession. Soon after crossing the Lakdipool stirring songs suited to the occasion were sung. At this stage Mr. Paranjpe made a stirring speech, explaining the objects of the Swadeshi movement and exhorting the audience not to forego their ancient manners and customs. On reaching the place of sacrifice, Mr. Paranjpe again addressed the processionists as follows :— " The loyalty of the Indians is well-known and it is creditable to our rulers that though belonging to an alien race they are making strenous efforts to develop our arts and industries. Government use native goods as far as possible and we have met today to do what Government have long since been doing. It is our bounden duty to render every assistance to Government in their task of resusciating Indian industries. We have so far been committing a sin in using foreign articles and in order to expatiate it, it is necessary that we should make some sacrifice." A bon-fire was then made of the heap of foreign articles. As the pile was burning, Mr. Paranjpe uttered some appropriate verses and made another impressive soeech praising the processionists for their orderly behaviour. Mr. Tilak then delivered a speech, in the course of which he accepted the fatherhood of the movement. Mr. Paranjpe having again spoken, the proceedings terminated. The Bengali

623 students of the College of Science had joined the procession. The proceedings were throughout conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner and the Police were not put to any trouble. In noticing the above proceedings, the Jam-e-Jamshed, the Sudharak, the Samartha, the Parikshak and the Dharwar Vritta made caustic comments on the thoughtless and foolish conduct of the processionists and their leaders in making a bon-fire of foreign articles. They consider the whole affair as a silly and purposeless demonstration only calculated to widen the gulf between the rulers and the ruled.

SIGNS OF NATIONAL AWAKENING

(FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 6TH JANUARY 1906.) Kal of 5th January 1906. The Kal refers to the signs of national awakening which are now visible in various countries such as Russia, China, Ireland and South Africa, and remarks : —After looking at the efforts of the people of the various countries above to throw off foreign yoke and to achieve their political emancipation, it is likely that the minds of some Indians may be filled with despair when they turn to the present condition of their own country. But there is now no cause for absolute despondency. We have found a remedy to improve our political and material condition, and it is the Swadeshi agitation and the boycott movement. This double-remedy has proved considerably effective during the last four months. Our people have begun to think of the causes of their degraded plight. The Swadeshi agitation and the boycott movement have secured the approval of our national assemblies, which met at Benares. Mr. Gokhale quoted some figures about the outturn of cotton piece-goods in the country and remarked that if new mills and handloom factories are started in India, we shall soon be able to produce sufficient cloth to meet our requirements. In that case we shall have stopped an annual drain of 40 crores of rupees to foreign countries. Government have made the principles of Free Trade applicable to India with a view to benefit the cotton manufacturers of Manchester and Lancashire. They have also ruined our indigenous industries and imposed heavy countervailing excise duties on cotton goods of Indian manufacture. In spite of these obstructions placed by Government in the path of the cotton industry in India, some of these concerns are found to flourish in the country. We need not, therefore, give ourselves up to despair, but persevere steadily in promoting the growth of industries in our midst. Mr. Dutt says in his inaugural address at the Industrial Conference that we ought to resort to boycott not merely

624 as an extreme remedy, but avail ourselves of it to the fullest possible extent. It is only in this way, he observes, that the Swadeshi movement will prosper and our material condition improve.

SWADESHI DISCUSSED AT BENARES

(FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 6TH JANUARY 1906, PAGE 14, PARAGRAPHS 8 AND 9.)

Kesari of 2nd January 1906.

The last week was a week of great bustle and excitement in the holy city of Benares. A number of Congresses and Conferences, social, political, religious and industrial held their sittings there during that period. One would think that the Congress has by this time got an unwieldy appendage of these minor Conferences round it. There is a disadvantage in crowding too many Conferences in a single week. The subjects dealt with do not receive the close attention they deserve, and those who assemble to discuss them feel greatly distracted by the multiplicity of matters brought forward for discussion. However varied the activity manifested at the different conferences, we can discern one common feature which pervaded them all. This feature was the spirit of Swadeshism. It was discernible in the presidential addresses as also in the deliberations of the various gatherings. The Swadeshi movement was discussed at Benares in three different aspects. In its political aspect it loomed large in the deliberations of the Congress. The President alluded to it in his cogent and vigorous address, and it was recognised by the delegates that the attitude taken up by the Bengalis, after they had found all their protests against the partition of their province to be of no avail, was the only proper attitude that could be taken against a high-handed administration. It is not manly to resign oneself to one's degraded position or to sit weeping in the house like women, but it is our duty to strive strenuously to remove the causes of our misfortunes. The boycott agitation is thus a move in the right direction, and the Bengalis have acted wisely in resorting to it. The President approved of the agitation in his address, and a resolution passed by the Congress also declared boycott to be a legitimate weapon in our political armoury. The President, of course, pointed out that boycott was an extreme remedy, and that there were obvious risks in its failure, but we beg to observe that in spite of these risks, we should not hesistate to resort to it. Though it may not have the support of the whole country, and though for want of such unanimous support, it may not completely realise its aim, it does not follow that it should not be resorted to at all under these circumstances. The boycott agitation, though not

625 universally supported, is bound to produce some effect, and so far it must be declared to be successful. Let us now turn to the industrial aspect of the Swadeshi movement. There are those among us who are sceptical about the success of our political agitation, but who strongly recommend that every endeavour should be made to resuscitate the dying industries of the country. They advocate protection to the infant industries of the country, but the Government is not prepared to give up its policy of Free Trade. Mr. Dutt pointed out the advantages of a Protectionist policy for India and cited the examples of France, Germany and the United States in favour of his contention; He exhorted the people to form a fixed resolution to patronise indigenous industries in spile of some slight loss or inconvenience. The third aspect of the Swadeshi movement related to the practical action that our countrymen should take to promote the growth of new industries in the country. Mills and handloom factories should be started everywhere, and from the proceedings of the Industrial Conference it seems that the attention of our leaders has been attracted in a considerable measure towards this third aspect of the Swadeshi movement.

BOYCOTT OF GOVERNMENT (FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 26TH MAY 1906, PAGE 19, PARAGRAPH 18.) Vihari of 21st May 1906. The Boycott movement had originated in the country more than twenty-five years ago, but it failed to secure adequate support from the people and died soon after its inception. The intolerable oppression recently exercised upon the people by their alien rulers, however has helped to give a fresh lease of life to the movement. The next step after a boycott of British goods is a boycott of the Universities founded by Government and the establishment of a National University. This has been done by the Bengalis. Babu Surendranath Bannerji has gone a step further and boycotted the Government itself. He has resigned all honorary posts held by him under Government, and his example has been followed by many other Bengalis. This ought to have been done long ago. If the people determine not to accept titles or Government service, nor to send their boys to Government schools, their action will not fail to produce some effect upon the authorities. However much Government may ignore public opinion, it must not be forgotten that its existence depends upon the good-will of the people. If, therefore, the people boycott Government, the latter must become crippled.

626 Government may establish law-courts or schools, but these would be useless, if the people refused to seek justice from the one or send their boys to the other. In short, the administration of a country can go on smoothly, only if the people and Government act in concert. If the two are opposed to each other, confusion will ensue. The Government imagining itself to be omnipotent may ignore public opinion for some time, but when the people become united. their power exceeds that of Government.

PROGRESS OF SWADESHI MOVEMENT (FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 20TH APRIL 1907, PAGE 23, PARAGRAPH 33.) Kesari of 16th April 1907. It was so long the fashion among Anglo-Indian scribes to jeer at the promoters of the boycott and Swadeshi movements and to question the utility of their propaganda by pointing out that in spite of it the textile industry in England had flourished famously and that many new cotton mills had been recently erected in England. These writers should have known that new movements are not expected to make their influence felt all at once and that a year or two is not enough to produce any material impression upon the course of British trade, when it took England a hundred years to destroy Indian trade and industries. If the number of mills has recently increased in England, the export of cotton goods to India and China should have proportionately advanced, but we find a considerable decrease in it instead. More mill machinery was no doubt exported from England last year, but this cannot be for the good of Lancashire, since the product of the mills erected abroad must necessarily compete with that produced in England. Already fears are entertained about the trade of Lancashire receiving a heavy blow, if the losses of the past half year are not made good during the next six months. There is a complete lull in the transactions of Manchester goods in Bombay. If more direct evidence be wanted of the vigorous spread of the Swadeshi movement, it can be found in the figures quoted by the President of the Allahabad Industrial Conference. He pointed to the establishment of 15 Native banks with an aggregate capital of 3 crores and 67 lakhs and to the starting of 5 steamship Companies with a capital of a crore and twenty-one lakhs in the course of the last year. Besides these, 22 new cotton mills with a capital of one crore and 80 lakhs, a glass factory with a capital of 70 lakhs and a number of factories and mills for the manufacture of sugar, oils etc., were started during the same period. Is it not creditable

627 to the promoters of the Swadeshi movement that they should have been able to show such progress in various directions in spite of the serious disadvantages under which they labour ?

BONFIRE OF FOREIGN CLOTHES—DHARWAR (FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 28TH MARCH 1908, PAGE 44, PARAGRAPH 66.) Hindustan Samachar of 23rd March. Nagesh Shankar Nargundkar of Hombal (Dharwar) writes to the Hindustan Samachar " The Swadeshi songs published in your paper were publicly sung by Gundabhatta Pujari, before a large audience on the night of the Holi, when a number of people took off their foreign articles of clothing and threw them into the bonfire. In the evening a meeting was held at the temple of Shankarlinga, and the people assembled solemnly took a vow not to use foreign goods in future.

SWADESHI & MILLS IN ENGLAND (FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 3RD OCTOBER 1908, PAGE 17, PARAGRAPH 17.) Kal of 2nd October, Rashtramat, 3rd Ortober 1908. The crisis in Lancashire has thrown a hundred thousand people on the streets and many of them have taken to rioting. It is to be noted that in their case the Police have only used batons, while the Bombay mill-hands were fired upon, though they were comparatively quite innocent. The foreign trade of England has greatly decreased during the last year. The Swadeshi movement in India, the Sinn Fein movement in Ireland and German and American competition are all having their effects on British commerce. The Almighty was sure to see justice done to the English merchants who have increased their trade by crippling the Indian artisans. England has also destroyed Irish trade by passing preferential laws in her own favour. The same experiment was tried in America ; but fortunately she escaped from the clutches of England and is now ready to deal a death-blow to English commerce. Mr. Dutt has given a fine description of the savage attempts of Englishmen to destroy Indian trade. The Swadeshi and the boycott movements had in reality frightened Englishmen from the very beginning, but they assumed a nonchalant attitude till now. Now, however, they cannot but howl. The Bengalis are mad with joy and have held a meeting to express their satisfaction at the news that hundreds of mills have stopped working in England. But we for our part should stick manfully to our programme and spread the Swadeshi agitation in every nook and corner of India. The brutal

628 military strength of the English is powerless before our perfectly constitutional agitation. We should concentrate all our forces on the Swadeshi movement and make it a success. (The London correspondent of the Kal makes similar comments. The Rashtramat avers that the Swadeshi movement in India is already making itself felt in England).

BOYCOTT MOVEMENT—1909 (FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 14TH AUGUST, PAGE 21, PARAGRAPH 27.)

Karnatak Vritta, 10th August 1909.

No wretch can be found in the whole of India who has forgotton the 7th of August on which day mother India presented us with " Boycott ". It was on this day that the canine habits of subservience and singing praises gave place to self-reliance and devotion to one's own duties. It was on this day that we learnt that Englishmen were but men like ourselves and that they possess the vices incident to human nature, that they had conquered India for their own benefit and not for our good and that it would be folly to sit quiet trusting to their liberalism. All our efforts by means of petitions and deputations to draw the attention of Englishmen to the wretched condition of Indians were fruitless. We became quite despondent of the future, witnessing as we did the sufferings of our countrymen who were ground down by a succession of famines. While India was in such a low condition, Lord Curzon stabbed the Bengalies by the partition of Bengal and branded the sore. But the benignant God smiled on the Bengalees and incited them to " Boycott". Boycott is the magic ointment to be applied to the eyes of the bureaucrats. It is the drum that will awaken the authorities who are feigning sleep. It is the constitutional weapon of a subject-race. There is no other way to salvation. It is cowardice to put up with the autocratic administration of the bureaucrats. But it is blamable to resort to outrages, enraged by the autocracy. We should follow only the policy of passive resistance. We should obstruct the administration within legal limits. Boycott is the central plank of passive resistance. Its chief principle is to do unto others as they do to us. It is mean to follow those who do not care for us. Boycott includes every constitutional means available for adoption by a self-respecting nation. Swadeshi means boycott. National education means the boycott of Government and aided schools. Arbitration means the boycott of Government courts of justice. Organisation of volunteers means boycott of foreign Police. To sum up, boycott means the firm resolve not to look up to others for what we can do ourselves.

629 BOYCOTT OF ANTI-INDIAN ALIENS

(FROM REPORT ON NATIVE PAPERS FOR THE WEEK ENDING 22ND NOVEMBER 1913, ,PAGE 19, PARAGRAPH 15.)

Indu Prakash of 22nd November 1913.

" Plain words " writes to the Indu Prakash :—" India has been called the grazing ground of England. In truth it is the grazing ground of all Europe, and the hunting ground of even anti-Indian aliens…………… India does recognise the indispensability and the balance of beneficence in favour of British rule, and in return for the great work that England has done and is doing for her, she has offered her unflinching loyalty and welcome all members of the ruling race to discreetly enjoy all the material and economic advantages which India offers. We, however, must all decline to subscribe to the theory that Indian loyalty should be extraterritorial, that it should extend, to all non- descript European races…………….India protests against continuing to be made a pasture for the free grazing of all and sundry who may choose to come here. We would impose heavy disabilities on all colonial enterprises in India, including Life Assurance Companies, and on the commercial enterprises of all those nations to whom the Indians are coolies and who are determined not to show them even ordinary human regard. If there is the abominable £3 tax on ex-indentured Indians in South Africa, why should there not be a similar poll tax on all South African colonists desiring to enter and trade in India?. …………….If the British Government wishes to keep Indian politics above party exigencies, why not also give India the right, which is only her due, to adopt a policy of retaliation in economic and commercial matters against the enemies of her interests independently of England's internal and international trade policy?...... If the colonies are allowed to adjust their internal economy in defiance of the interests and rights of Indians, why should not India be allowed to adjust her own internal economy in the way she pleases?...... We should go so far as to suggest that some Councillor should put a question to Government at the next sitting of the Viceroy's Legislative Council as to the number of non-British and non-Irish foreigners in the service of India. And a detailed reply should be demanded, so that the number of colonial-born Government servants and of other European Government servants hailing from anti-Indian European countries could be distinctly known. The information should be utilised to open a vigorous campaign against the admission into Government service of colonial-born and other Indian-hating Europeans. The Indian States should also be approached and asked to

630 follow the policy of weeding out from their service the men specified above. I would also ask some enterprising Indian firms to print a directory containing full information as regards the number and nature of colonial trading and commercial enterprises in India. The people of India should be men enough to utilise this information for a vigorous boycott. (Commenting on the above the paper writes :— " In South Africa, there is the Africander party. The Colonies say we will only have White Colonists. All right, sirs, we will have in India only those who become Indians in the true sense of the word or who give to Indians the same rights as India gives to them. That is the only reply. If the Empire has self-governing colonies that raise walls of race-prejudice and India is to continue in the Empire, that can only be by allowing India also full self-Government so far at least as questions of racial and economic barriers are concerned."

631 [The above extract taken from the Records of the Sarvajanik Sabha giving a circular letter, written by G. K. Gokhale, Secretary of the Sabha, dated 13th June 1894, requesting people to attend a meeting called for taking the Swadeshi Vow with a view to boycott foreign cloth was published in the Kesari, dated 5th February 1907.]

632