Kohat tragedy

WE have purposely reserved for separate treatment that part of Mahatma Gandhi’s statement on the Kohat tragedy which has to do with the present position at the place rather than with the tragedy itself. “The so-called reconciliation,” says the statement, “is reconciliation brought about under threat of prosecution against both sides. It is intrinsically bad because it makes no provision for the restoration of lost and damaged property. It is also bad because it still involves the prosecution of Mr Jiwandas (a representative of the Sanatan Dharma Sabha).” Bad as this picture is, it is only a small part of the truth about the actual position. The so-called reconciliation is bad not merely because it makes no provision for the restoration of lost and damaged property, but because it makes no provision worth the name for the rehabilitation of the refugees at Kohat even otherwise than by the restoration to them of their lost and damaged property; and secondly, because it contains no assurance whatever as regards the future. As regards the first of these, it is perfectly true that the Government of India has more than once expressed its readiness to advance some money as loan, but not only is the amount promised inadequate and the terms far from attractive, but to the best of our information, no money has so far been distributed as loan. As regards the second, we have made no secret of our dissent from the Mahatma’s view that all that is necessary is for the Muslims to invite the Hindus to go back to Kohat and give them assurances of protection and that the intervention of the government can and ought to be done without.