FEW CONGRESS DISSENTIENTS

Southland Times, Issue 24818, 10 August 1942, Page 5

FEW CONGRESS DISSENTIENTS

The Congress Committee endoresd toe “Quit India” resolution with only 13 dissentient votes. All amendments were rejected. Mr Gandhi, speaking after the passing of toe resolution, said: “We will make every effort to see toe Viceroy before starting toe movement.” He asked teachers and students to hold themselves in readiness to cease work and called on all Indian newspapers to cease publication. Six organizations in Calcutta representing European businesses, including toe Bengal Chamber of Commerce and toe Indian Jute Mills Association, announced measures for meeting toe disturbance to industry, the protection of workers and the ensuring of an adequate supply and distribution of foodstuffs at reasonable prices. Thousands within and around toe Congress marquee cheered Mr Gandhi for several minutes upon his arrival for toe meeting. » Dr Azad, opening toe meeting, said: “The Working Committee resolution means ‘Let us have a declaration of Indian independence forthwith and we shall immediately enter into a treaty of alliance with the United Nations for the sole purpose of fighting and winning toe war.’ This is the crux of our demand. There is no need unnecessarily to cloud toe issue by raising fears of anarchy and chaos if the British Government is in earnest about this and is true to its professions regarding India’s freedom. This can be done immediately. This is what we are asking the United Nations to do. I proclaim that a newly freed India will whole-heartedly be with the United Nations in toe fight against all aggression.” REGARD FOR BRITISH “At least in my heart there is no hatred,” said Mr Gandhi. “I am a greater friend of toe British now than ever I was because they are in distress. My friendship demands that I make them aware of their mistakes. As I am not in toe position in which they find themselves I am able to point out their mistakes. I know that they are on toe brink of toe ditch and about to fall into it. Therefore, even if they want to cut off my hands, my friendship demands that I try to pull them from toe ditch. This is my claim at which many people may laugh. All toe same I say that it is true.

“At a time when I am about to launch ine biggest fight of my life there can be no hatred for toe British in my heart. The thought that because they are in difficulties I should give them a push is totally absent from my mind. It may be that, in a moment of anger, they might do things that might provoke you. Nevertheless, you should not resort to violence and put non-violence to shame.

“Never believe—as I have never believed—that toe British are going to fail. They are not a nation of cowards. Every soul in Britain will sacrifice before they accept defeat. They may be defeated, they may leave you just as they left toe people of Burma, Malaya and other places with the idea of recapturing lost ground when they can. That may be their military strategy. “Supposing they leave us, what happens to us? Japan will come. Her coming will 'mean toe end of China, perhaps of Russia. In these matters Pandit Nehru is my teacher. I do not want to he the instrument of Russia’s and China’s defeat. If that happens I should hate myself.

“It may be that wisdom will dawn on toe British and that they will understand that it is wrong for them to gaol the very people who want to fight for them. Non-violence is a matchless weapon which can help everyone. You will have to come together if you want real freedom. Such a coming together will create a true democracy the like of which has not so far been witnessed or attempted. “I have read extensively about toe French Revolution. Pandit Nehru has told me all about the Russian Revolution. I hold that, though those revolutions were fights for toe people, they were not fights for toe real democracy which I envisage. My democracy means that everyone is his own master.” “The ‘Quit India* resolution is not a threat, but an offer of cooperation to free India,” said Pandit Nehru. “We are in deadly earnest We are on the verge of a precipice. This war is part of a revolution which 'is enveloping the world. The war may end, but the revolution will go on until it runs its course. Mr Churchill spoke of the two branches of toe Anglo-Saxon race marching in dignity and majesty all over the world. That may have thrilled the Anglo-Saxons, but the world is filled with people who are not Anglo-Saxons. We have had enough of these mechanical civilizations telling us to do this and do that If Japan came to India you and I would suffer or die, not the people in London, New York or Washington. They say we do not know what Japan is. We know subjection better than anyone. We have had 200 years of it We prefer to throw ourselves into the fire. The outcome would be a new nation or we would be reduced to ashes.”

The speech was wildly cheered. The British Press gives prominence to toe Congress decision. Leading articles and special articles emphasize toe gravity of toe situation.