Page:Fischer - A Week with Gandhi.pdf/61

 the Congress movement and the Hindus in general have no desire to control. The provinces must enjoy broad autonomy. I myself am opposed to violence or domination and do not believe in powerful governments which oppress their citizens or other states. So how could I wish for domination? This charge is a cry originated by leaders to obtain a better hold on their people.”

I said I had several questions to ask him about the Congress Party. Very highly placed Britishers, I recalled, had told me that Congress was in the hands of big business and that Gandhi was supported by the Bombay mill owners who gave him as much money as he wanted. “What truth is there in these assertions?” I asked.

“Unfortunately, they are true,” he declared simply. “Congress hasn’t enough money to conduct its work. We thought in the beginning to collect four annas [about eight cents] from each member per year and operate on that. But it hasn’t worked.”

“What proportion of the Congress budget,” I asked, “is covered by rich Indians?”

“Practically all of it,” he stated. “In this ashram, for instance, we could live much more poorly than we do and spend less money. But we do not, and the money comes from our rich friends.”

“Doesn’t the fact that Congress gets its money