Page:Mahatma Gandhi, his life, writings and speeches.djvu/396

 "a genuine search for knowledge" and this I shall continue to satisfy so long as I am left free. I have, etc., 16th April, 1917. (Sd.) M. K. GANDHI.

Mr. Gandhi appeared before the Deputy Magistrate on Wednesday, the 18th instant. He read the Statement printed below, and being asked to plead and finding that the case was likely to be unnecessarily prolonged, pleaded guilty. The Magistrate would not award the penalty but postponed judgment till 3 P. M. Meanwhile, he was asked to see the Superintendent and then the District Magistrate. The result was that he agreed not to go out to the villages pending instructions from the Government as to their view of his mission. The case was then postponed up to Saturday, April 21.

The following is the text of Mr.Gaudhts Statement before the Court:

With the permission of the Court. I would like to make a brief statement showing why I have taken the very serious step of seemingly disobeying the order made under Sec. 144 of the Cr. P. C. In my humble opinion, it is a question of difference of opinion, between the local administration and myself. I have entered the country with motives of rendering humanitarian and national service. I have