GANDHI TO FAST

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 February 1943, Page 3

GANDHI TO FAST

BUT NOT TO DEATH.

CONTROVERSY WITH INDIAN GOVERNMENT.

(British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.50 a.m.)

RUGBY, February 10.

Mr Gandhi has informed the Viceroy that he proposes to undertake a fast of three weeks from today, according to a statement issued by the Government of India. It is to be fast according to his capacity and Gandhi proposes to add the juices of citrus fruit to water, to make water drinkable, as his wish is not to fast to death. The Government of India states that it deplores the use of the weapon of fasting to achieve political ends and Gandhi had admitted in the past that it contains an element of coercion. The Government regrets that Gandhi should seek justification for it in anything the Government may have said or done in connection with the Congress Party’s attitude. The fast will not be allowed to deflect the Government’s policy noi’ will the Government be responsible for the effects on Gandhi’s health. The Government’s statement adds that Gandhi has been offered his freedom during the period of the fast, so that he could be attended by his own medical advisers and friends, but Gandhi said that if he were released he would not fast; therefore it was clear that only his unconditional release would prevent him fasting and this the Government was not prepared to concede. Another message states that Gandhi’s fast is undertaken in protest against a statement by the Viceroy placing responsibility on the Congress Party for the violent disorders that have occurred in India.