Correspondence
A Letter from an Indian Moderate
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—The rapid march of political events in India since the close of the second session of the Round Table Conference renders it desirable to form an opinion upon the probable effects of the present policy on the relations between the Government and the people, and the prospects of that friendly co-operation which is essential to the success of constitutional reform. An appreciation of the situation as it strikes a comparatively detached observer of the Liberal Party may possibly be a useful contribution to the formation of such an opinion.
The reports of the proceedings which ended the Conference have been received in India with feelings of subdued enthusi- asm, combined with a considerable measure of disappoint- ment. It was satisfactory to learn that the Government would not be content with mere general declarations, but were determined to proceed with the work of framing the new Constitution. It was also gratifying to learn that it Ryas not intended to deal with the constitutional changes piecemeal by the introduction of provincial autonomy in advance of the grant of responsibility in the centre. It was also reassuring to learn that the communal deadlock would not be allowed to shelve the framing of the new Constitution, and that in the event of the continued inability of the corn. munities to reach a settlement by agreement, the Govern. ment were prepared to adopt a temporary solution of the question. If there are some grounds for encouragement in the proceedings of the- Conference, there are other features of a disquieting character. It is noticeable that the political aspects of the question of defence other than those of a con. stitutional character were not raised at all in a meeting of a committee of defence. No advance has been made with regard to the policy of the Indianization of the Army, and, for aught we know, the consummation may be put off to fifty, or even a hundred years. The defection of some of the Princes from the principle of federation is an ominous feature which points to a shelving of the principle of central responsi. bility on the plea that the condition upon which it was made to hang had not been fulfilled. It is also suspected that this defection may have been due to political influences in Britain and in India. It is further believed that the stiffness in the attitude of important minorities and the formation of the outrageous " minorities pact " might have been promoted by the reactionary politicians in England as well as by the bungling of Mr. Gandhi.
But whatever may have been the public utterances of Mr. Gandhi in England, those who have had opportunities of talking to him are of opinion that he was sincerely anxious to avoid the revival of the civil disobedience movement. His hands, however, have been forced by his colleagues and followers of the Congress Working Committee, who •have "endeavoured to present him with a fait accompli by starting a no-rent campaign in the United-Provinces before his arrival. That the situation in the United Provinces called for special legislation and emergency powers must be admitted. That Sin-ZAT measures were called for in the North-West Frontier Provinces by the activities of the Red Shirts is the impression produced by the communiqués issued by the Government. The terrorist movement in Bengal might also have required exceptional legislation. But whether the situation in these provinces called for measures of such a drastic character is another question. It is unfortunate that Mr. Gandhi's request for an interview with the Viceroy should have been coupled with threats of the revival of civil disobedience. But it may be said in favour of Mr. Gandhi that he was appre- hensive of arrest at any titne,- andlhat he Could not therefore put off his instructions to his followers. It has also to be remembered that, like the British politicians, Mr. Gandhi has to save his face, and that if he had unconditionally over- ruled his working committee he might have lost his hold upon his followers. Whatever might. have been the tone of Mr. Gandhi's request for an interview, it is generally held in India that it was a most ill-advised step on the part of His Excellency the Viceroy to have refused the interview and the opportunity thus afforded for explanation. It is quite possible, if not probable, that the interview might not have affected the subsequent course of events one way or the other. But it is believed that there was a possibility, not to be lightly thrown away by the Viceroy, of Mr. Gandhi being convinced of the necessity for the special legislation and the advisability of withdrawing the civil disobedience movement. The Government would not have suffered any loss of prestige by granting an interview, and would have put Mr. Gandhi in the wrong. The refusal of the Viceroy to grant the interview has therefore been deeply deplored by Indian opinion.
Various ordinances have been issued in quick succession and they have been applied not merely to Bengal, the United Provinces and the North-West Frontier Province, but to all the other provinces of India also. It is impossible to go in detail into the provisions of these ordinances. Suffice it to say that they practically amount to martial law and that if the people have any freedom, it is only by sufferance of the executive. The provisions are sweeping and the penalties severe. The extension of the ordinances to all provinces amounts to an acknowledgement of the widespread influence of the Congress and the hold it has acquired among the people. The offer of military help which has been received by the Government from some Indian Princes points to the alarmist view which has been taken by the Government of the present situation and which has probably inspired measures of such draconian severity. If the ordinances are sweeping and draconian, the manner in which they are enforced is also calculated to estrange the sympathy of the public. The sentences imposed upon persons accused of trivial offences almost invariably reach the maximum limit of the law and suggest executive instructions to that effect. There is no proportion between the nature of the offence and amount of the punishment. The violence used by the police in dis- persing crowds or towards offenders is considered to be far in excess of the requirements of the situation. The severity of the repressive measures and the method of their enforcement can only have one effect : instead of winning popular support to the cause of law and order, they are alienating the good will of the people and promoting feelings of sullen discontent, especially at a time of terrible economic depression, when people are disposed to throw the blame on the Government for all the ills they suffer from. Far from losing prestige, Mr. Gandhi is bound to rise in popular favour and receive worship from the masses.
It is sincerely to be hoped that means may be found for terminating the struggle which can only lead to a pyrrhic victory for the Government. It was a most ill-advised step on the part of the Congress Working Committee to have precipitated a crisis and forced a struggle in which they are bound to suffer a physical defeat, a result which cannot enhance their own prestige or move the Government to a more conciliatory attitude. It is equally necessary for the Government to realize that the spirit of nationalism which has been aroused can only be kept under, and not extinguished, by rigorous repression, and that excessive severity will defeat its own object and sap their moral authority. The Government have demonstrated their strength and their ability to apply the screw with the utmost pressure. It remains for them to give unmistakeable pfoof of their desire to accelerate responsible government. The adhesion of the Indian States should not be treated as a sine qua non to central responsibility, and an early time limit should be fixed for the Indianization of the Army. Every step should be taken that could convince the people of the prospects of speedy attainment of Dominion Status, and the exercise of undue severity must be promptly checked.—I am, Sir, &e.,
Mylapare.
P. S. Sive-evrearY Aiwa.
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