Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/533

 SPEECH AT ALLAHABAD

��[Mr. M. K. Gandhi in his speech at Allahabad on the llth. March, explained the Satyagraha Pledge as follows : ]

It behoves every one who wishes to take the Satya- graha Pledge to seriously consider all its factors before taking it. It is necessary to understand the principles of Satyagraha, to understand the main features of the Bills known as the Rowlatt Bills and to be satisfied that they are so objectionable as to warrant the very powerful remedy of Satyagraha being applied and, finally, to be convinced of one's ability to undergo every form of bodily suffering so that the soul may be set free and be under no fear from any human being or institution, Once in it, there is no looking back.

Therefore there is no conception of defeat in Staya" grah. A Satyagrahi fights even unto death. It is thus not an easy thing for everybody to enter upon it. It therefore behoves a Stayagrahi to be tolerant of those who do not join him. In reading reports of Satyagraha meetings I often notice that ridicule is poured upon those who do not join our movement. This is entirely against the spirit of the Pledge. In Satyagraha we expect to win over out opponents by self -suffering i.e, by love, The process whereby we hope to reach our goal is by so conducting ourselves as gradually and in an unperceived manner to disarm all opposition. Oppo nents as a rule expect irritation, even violence from one another when both parties are equally matched, But when Satyagraha comes into play the expect a

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