Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/675

 THE ALI BROTHERS' AL'OLCKiY.

[After the Gandhi- Reading interview, the Alt Brothers issued a statement at th*. instance of Mr. Ga>i- dhia statement in which they resetted their o^asional lapse into excessive language and promised to refrain from writing or speaking in any manner likely to pro- voke violence* This *' definite result <*f the interview was claimed as a victory for the Government. Others claimed that it was a victory for Mr. Gandhi who ex- plained ihut it was no apology or undertaking to the Government but a reassertion of the pnn^iplt', of uon- rioleme to which the Ah I3rof/ier^ had snb^ribcj. It was a statement to the public irrespective of what the Government might or might not do with them* In answer to criticisms against his ad-cue to the Hrothers, Mr. Gandhi stoutly defended his action, and praised the Brothers' attitude. Hz wrote in Young India of June 15, J 921: |

The All Brothers' apology still continues to tax people's minds. I continue to receive letters expostulat- ing with me for having gone to the Viceroy at all. Some consider that I have bungled the whole aft'air, others blame the Brothers for having for once weakened, and that in deference to me. I know that in a short while the storm will blow over. For, in spite of all I have heard and read, I feel that I did the right thing in responding to the Viceroy's wsh ta know my views. It would have been wrong on my part to have waited for a formal written invitation from His Excellency. I feel, too, that I gave the best

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