Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/466

 376 EARLIER INDIAN SPEECHES

No one has the right to alter the scheme of reforms approved by the Congress and the Moslem League, and one need not, therefore, go into the merits thereof. For our present purposes, we have to understand thoroughly the scheme formulated most thoughtfully by our leaders and to faithfully do the things necessary to get it accepted and enforced.

This scheme is not Swaraj, but i* a great step towards Swaraj. Some English critics tell us that we have no right to enjoy Swarxj, because the class that demands it is incapable of defending India. " Is the defence of India to rest with the English alone, " they ask. " and are the reins of Government to be in the hands of the Indians ? Now this is a question which excites both laughter and sorrow. It is laughable, because our English friends fancy that they are not of us, whilst our plan of Swaraj is based upon retention of the British connection. We do not expect the English settlers to leave this country. They will be our part- ners in Swaraj. And they need not grumble if in such a scheme the burden of the defence of the country falls on them. They are, however, hasty in assuming that we shall nol do our share of defending the country. When India decides upon qualifying herself for the act ot soldiering, she will attain to it in no time. We have but to harden our feelings to be able to strike. To cultivate a hardened feeling does not take ages. It grows like weeds. The question has also its tragic side^because it puts us in mind of the fact that Govern- ment have up to now debarred us from military train- ing. Had they been so minded they would have had at their disposal to-day, from among the educated classes, an army of trained soldiers. Government have to

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