Evening star., 1932-09-18
Candhi's Threat Causes
Keen British Concern
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, September 1.-THE deci-
sion of the British government to re-
lease Mahatma Gandhi, when he begins
to carry out his threat to starve himself
to death, was generally anticipated here.
The government is under no misap-
prehension in regard to the gravity OF
the consequences in India of fatal
issue Of the threat, for the popular
worship of Gandhi has passed beyond
the realm OF reason and his death in
any circumstances. perhaps especially
by his own action, inevitably would
create q CONFUSION throuehout the de-
pendency. But the consequences would
be acutely aggravated il the event
occurred while Gandhi was in prison,
and the government has wisely taken
tne precaution to eliminate that posi-.
bility.
Tne public Is more beWildered at
Gandhi's reason for the desperate act
tnan at the decision itself. Fasting has
always been his political weapon land
his resort to this weapon has not been
unexpected since his arrest. but the
ground chosen leaves the public bewil-
oered. II he had decided to become a
martyr for civil disobedience or as a
gesture Tor prohibition, the public would
not have been surprised. But in de-
clarmg war literally to the death against
the proposed separate electorateS for
the untouchables" he battles under
standing. No one has more eloouently
denounced the lamentable condition Of
the depressed classes under the Hindu
caste tradition or recognized more fully
the failure to secure reforms within that
tradition. Moreover. while faithful to
HINDUISM, he has always repudiated
narrow sectarian attitude and aimed at
2 universal religion which accepts the
virtues of all cults.
NOW he proposes to die as a protest
against the political Independence of the
"untouchables" and in defense of the
political solidarity of Hinduism. His
position Is that to reform the "untouch-
ables grievances is not a matter for
the secular government of India, but
1or hindu domestic policy, which is the
source OF those grievances, and that
ratner tnan consent to reform from
Witnout ne VIII die to preserve the priv
ileges OF the Hindu system.
+
BY common consent. IL the 'lIntouch-
ables' representation is submerged in
general celebrates it will become part
OF the representation of the d,nlinant
castes, and In proposing a separate e,ec-
totste tne government is taking the
most oirect means to secure redress OF
Ine grievances OF the depressed classes.
Inc loea OF communal representation
enanates not from the government but
from the internal clash of tbs indian
breeds, especially the clash betueen the
Hlndus and Mohammedans' but II the
communal expedient Is warranted in
any case 1t Is in the case of the so 0OO 900
untouchsbles." who are outcasts in In
dian society and by caste code can never
Dc anYthing else. Independent repre-
sentatlon Is the only weapon that gives
tnem chance of achieving emancipa-
has been their lot for Centuries lead
e.s oi tne depressed Classes denounce
strunt in the interests Of caste
aristocracy, and more liberal uinSus
IKE 6annerl1, declare it is desianed TO
appeal TO the most bignted element cf
the caste system.
In any event, Is an attach nm the
government it Is Irrelevant. The gov
erntaent electoral scheme was onIv nj nut
forward owing to the failure 81 The
sectarian factions of Indian oninion 70
agree on an alternative policy premier
Ramsay Macdonald has made II clear
that the government stiIl is ready to
accept such scheme when forth
coming. Ao''A
Gandhfs quarrel should not he with
the government, but with the Indian
factions, especially the Hindus' and his
more rational course II he desires the
welfare Of India would be to starye to
death unless the Hindus and Moslems
agree to formu ate common policy Of
eleceoral representation. That would
solve the whole problem, but I fear that
Gandhi wants no solution. He wants to
drive out western civilization from Indis
ar and Is, Is prepared to invite internal chaos
(Ccpyright. lss2l