Peace Undertaking Given By Party Leaders

Chronicle (Levin), 19 January 1948, Page 5

Peace Undertaking Given By Party Leaders

(N,Z,P,A.-

-JReulpr-

Comtright)

Received Monday, 10.10 a.m. NEW DELRl, Jan. 18. Mr. Gandhi has broken his fast undsrtaken to bring about communal peace, after Hindu leaders had given him a written undertaking incorporating seven points. Mr, Gandhi's fast laste'd 122 hours and he ended it by sipping orange juice. He had some sleep during the night but doctors feared a crisis if the fast continued. At a prayer meeting after his fast Mr. Gandhi said: "I could not disbelieve the pledge that come what may there would be complete frisn'dship between Hindus, Moslems, Sikhs, Christians, Parsees and Jews. "To break that friendship would break the nation. If there is darkness in the Indian Union it would be folly to expeet light in Pakistan. If jnight in the union is dispslled it* cannot be otherwise in Pakistan, nor are signs wanted in that direction. The pledge, if fulfllled, would revive my intense wish to live a full life span servin'g humanity. The life span according to learned opinion is at least 125 years, but some say 133 years." The peace pledge, which members of the Indian Government and heads of all parties and community organisations signed before Gandhi ended his fast, said: "It is our heartfelt 'desire that Hind'us, Moslems, Sikhs and members of other communities ^hould again live in Delhi like brothers. We shall protect lives and pro'perty, Father of Moslems." A peace committee, repre'senting all communities, will report to Mr. Gandhi daily on the efforts made to ensure communal harmony. The seven points in the undertaking were: Pirstly, the Moslems be permitted to hold the annual religious fair at Mehrauli near Delhi, Secondly, the Moslems who fled from Delhi to Pakistan be allowed to return safely. Thirdly, the return of 118 mosques in Delhi converted to Hindu temples. Fourthly, make all parts of Delhi sai'e for Moslems. Fifthly, guarantee the safety of Moslems in trains. Sixthly, the removal of the j Hipdu-Sikh economic boycott of ! Moslems. Seven thly, Hindu-Sikh refugees from Pakistan must not use the Aloslem districts in Delhi.