Evening star., 1949-01-30

nd physically so frail that his con-
Il shall work for an India in
which the poorest shall feel that it
is their country, in whose making
they have an effective voice; an
India in which there shall be no
high class and low class OF people,
an India in which all communities
shall live in perfect harmony. There
can be no room in such an India
for the curse OF untouchability.
Women will enjoy the same rights
as men, This is the India OF my
dreams"
Twofold Objective
From all this, it becomes clear
that what Gandhi aimed at pri-
marily, after the attainment Of self
rule for India, was twofold objec-
tive: Full protection for the nom
Hindu minorities and removal Of
restrictions against low-caste Hin
dus, traditionally known as "un-
touchables," or more politely given
the official term "sche1uled castles"
Those aims are shared by the pres
ent leaders of the Indian Union,
who are doing their best to bring
them about. Immediately after the
Inauguration OF virtual independ-
ence as a dominion Of the COM
monwealth, Prime Minister Java
harlal Nehru officially stated: "As
long as I am at the helm Of affairs
India will not become Hindu state.
-" will fight for the establish
ment Of a state where every citizen
will enjoy equal rights, irrespective
Of his religion"
This principle is now being en-
bodied in the draft constitution
that is in process OF elaboration by
the Constituent Assembly. The
preamble sets forth that India will
in future be q noncommunal, non
religious, secular state in which the
rights of minorities will be safe and
freedom to pursue all religions will
be insured. Specific clauses forbid
discrimination of any kind, formally
abolish "untouchability" and assure
equal opportunities to all citizens in
public employment, educational op-
portunities or any other civic rights.
The Importance Of these safeguards
become obvious when it Is remem-
bered that, while more than two
thirds Of the population, totaling
slightly under 800, 600 900, are Hin
dus, there are some $4,000, 600
scheduled castes," 10000 900 Mos
lems.. 100000 Sikhs, nearly 5000, 900
Indian Christians and certain
smaller minorities, such as Buddh-
lists, "Anglo-Indians," or Eurasians,
and Parasees, or zoroastrians. In
q Brahmin-d dominated Hindu India,
the status Of all these minorities
would have been dubious and un-
certain.
Many Readjustments
That the spirit of Gandhi Is being
written into the fundamental laws
and institutions Of the new India
Is surely a striking proof Of the
legacy which the Mahatma has
bequeathed his fellow countrymen.
1t is likewise q hopeful indication
Of the line along which its national
evolution will proceed.
This does not mean that all is
sweetness and light in India today.
Constitutional clauses and legal
enactments do not automatically
change mems hearts or thoughts,
even though they may partially
restrain their actions. Antagonism
still exists between Hindus, Sikhs
and Moslems, while social and per-
sonal discrimination against low
caste Hindus abundantly survives.
Furthermore, even though these ira
ditional cleavages appear on the
wane, new problems arise akin to
those in our Western world. Eco
nomic pressures and discontents
complicate the national picture, in
cluding small yet vociferous Com
munist PARTY The readiustments
needed for the new India are many
and difficult.
Nevertheless, constructive and
statesmanlike start is being made.