Gandhi’s confession

THE pathetic confession made by Mahatma Gandhi, in his reply to the General Secretary, Ramlila Committee at Allahabad, who asked him to intervene and settle the Hindu-Muslim differences at the place, that he has no influence over either community and is, therefore, unable to intervene, shows the desperate pass to which things have come in this matter of vital national importance. It is also a lesson and a warning to all who aspire to political leadership in this country. But three short years ago, the word of Mahatma Gandhi was law both to Hindus and Mussalmans. So unchallenged and unchallengeable was his position at the time that some of the foremost men in the country, who happened to differ from him, found it difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a hearing at any public meeting. How has he lost that position of ascendency? Several causes have undoubtedly been at work to bring about the present position, for most of which the Mahatma cannot be said to be accountable, whether directly or indirectly. But candour compels the admission that his own policy has not been without its share of responsibility for the result. There is no living Indian who has written or spoken more about the Hindu-Muslim question during the last five years than the Mahatma, but in not one of these articles or speeches has he ever attempted to come to grips with the real issue. That ignoring of human nature in the average man and woman, as well as in the average collection of men and women, which is the root cause of the failure of the non-cooperation programme, has also been fully at work in this case.