Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/569

 TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF THE MOVEMENT.

The foil owing speech advising temporary suspension of the Saiyagraha movement was made by Mr. Gandhi at Bombay on the I8ih April :

It is not without sorrow I feel compelled to advise the temporary suspension of civil disobedience. I give this advice not because I have less faith now in its efficacy but because I have, if possible, greater faith than before. It is my perception of the law of Satya- graha which impels me to suggest the suspension. I am sorry when I embarked upon a mass movement, I underrated the forces of evil and I must now pau^e and consider how best to meet the situation. But whilst doing so, I wish to say that from a careful examination of the tragedy at Ahmedabad and Viramgaum, I am convinced that Satyagraha had nothing to do with the violence of the mob and that many swarmed round the banner of mischief raised by the mob largely because of their affection for Anasuya Bai and myself. Had the Government in an unwise manner not prevented me from entering Delhi and so compelled me to disobey their orders. I feel certain that Ahmedabad and Viramgaum uould have remained free from the horrors of the last week. In other words Satyagraha h^s neither been the cause nor the occasion of the upheaval. If anything, the presence of Satyagraha has acted as a check ever so slight upon the perviously existing lawless elements.

As regards events in the Punjab, it is admitted that they are unconnected with the .Satyagraha movement. In the corrse of the Satyagraha struggle in South Africa several thousands of intentured Indians had struck* work. This was Satyagraha strike and, there- fore, entirely peaceful and voluntary. Whilst the strike was going on, a strike of European miners, railway employees, etc., was declared. Overtures were made to me to make common cause with the European strikers. As a Satyagrahi I did not require a moment's consideration to decline to do so. I went further, and for fear of our strike being classed with the

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