MR. GANDHI'S FAST
[To the Editor of the Seam/viva.] SIR,—As member of the local untouchability committee, and as a native of Malabar, where Guruvayur Temple is situated, I have been brought into contact with many persons ; and I am sure all well-wishers of Government will agree with the views expressed in this letter. The New Year will open with Mr. Ghandi's fast if Guruvayur Temple is not opened to the depressed classes. We may disapprove of fasting, but we cannot ignore the fact that the self-imposed martyrdom of such a personage is fraught with serious consequences. Christ's entry into Jerusalem was as inexpedient as Gandhi's proposed fast, but reformers often resort to needlessly provo- cative tactics to bring about a state of affairs under which "he who is not with us is against us." The Government cannot wash the hands as Pilate did.
Ancient Hindu society recognized no bifurcation of power into spiritual and temporal ; all innovations in religion had to be introduced by the king. Those who "replaced our kings cannot escape the moral obligation to provide us with some machinery which will make it possible to introduce necessary reforms. The average Indian puts a very uncharitable construction on the present attitude of Government. His - mind works somewhat like this, " The referendum shows that the vast majority of caste-Hindus are for throwing open the temple to the untouchables ; is Government anxious to perpetuate the tyranny of an ever-dwindling minority ? If the orthodox few will not worship in the company of others let them build separate temples. There is no evidence to prove that temples were meant to be the private property of any section of Hindus ; on the other hand, tradition and archaeological research tend to show that the temples of Malabar are older than the advent of Aryans and caste system. Besides, the Vedas and Srutis contain no authority for shutting out the lower castes ; nor is it true that the present- day lower castes are those referred to in the Shastras. If Government had any compunctions it ought not to have passed the Sarda Act, because pre-puberty marriage is enjoined in the texts and is the very corner-stone on which the edifice of Hindu society is built ; it ought not to have passed the Hindu Religious Endowments Act which diverts funds for secular purposes. After swallowing the camel it is now straining at a gnat, simply because it wants Gandhi to die." Agitators are not slow to exploit this feeling ; and the unfortunate thing about Malabar is this : the owners of temples are also the landed =milldam Orthodoxy is part of a morbid dread of all change. It is all like a pyramid standing on its apex. It would be a huge mistake if Govern- ment should now identify itself with the system which is bound to pass away.—I am, Sir, &C., . .
&flares Hindu University. C. NARAYANA MENON.-
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