THE OUTLOOK FOR INDIA

New Zealand Listener, Volume 9, Issue 215, 6 August 1943, Page 3

THE OUTLOOK FOR INDIA

Sir,-As one who has lived in India for several years, I was interested in reading your interview with Miss A, Lantis on "India As She Saw It." In it she quoted a noted Moslem leader as having stated that "Moslems and Hindus will work together until we get independence. After that, we shall settle our own differences for ourselves." Such a method would be disastrous to the peace, prosperity and unity of India. At the present time, Hindus and Mohammedans are antagonistic the one to the other, and on certain occasions deadly clashes have occurred, clashes which have exceeded in violence anything ever witnessed in the religious riots which used to characterise the Falls and Shankill areas in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Many people who advocate self-gov-ernment for India do not take into consideration the fact that India is a vast country with a huge population of 400 millions, with differences in language and religion. It is estimated that there are 14 principal languages, with numerous dialetcs spoken. The principal religions are Hindu and Mohemmedan, The former is governed by a caste system which prevails in the life of the people.

A man must abide in the caste in which he was born, there is no passing from one caste to another, and there is no true social intercourse between the castes, Thus caste has created a marked dividing line. But in addition to the millions ruled by caste, there is a mighty army numbering 60 millions who are classed as out-castes, or the untouchables, These are not allowed to enter Hindu temples, The great Mahatma Gandhi was unable to help them. But these out-castes are beginning to awake, and to demand their place in the Hindu religion, Another difficulty in the way of total self-government is the fact that onethird of India is composed of Native States, ruled by Native Rajahs or Princes. These States govern themselves, amd have their own laws, courts, police, etc. Britain, by treaty, guarantees them protection. The population of these States is something like 90 millions. Any solution of the future government of India must naturally be subject to the consent of these native Rajahs and their people, | _. Yet another difficulty is that Indig is still an illiterate country. Despite great effort by missionaries and the Government, only about 10 per cent of the people can read and write, This illiteracy leaves them open to the wiles of agitators, or interested persons, who seek to sway the unruly ones with Gandhi’s parrot-call "Quit India." The. Mohammedans have not forgotten that prior to the advent of British rule, a great part of India was under the rule of Mogul Emperors, whose royal seat was in Delhi, where many magnificent buildings bear witness to the grandeur of that reign. And it is quite possible there may be some who are looking forward to the day when the Moslems will be again supreme, and will be able to lord it over all in India.

(Rev.)

G. W.

BLAIR

(Auckland).