Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/793

 REPLY TO CRITICS.

If the Pardoli decisions offended a few zealous followers of Mr. Gandhi, the Delhi resolutions were condemned by a large section of the public. Congressmen were uncomfortable at the sudden and incesrant changes of programme. Doubts as to the validity of the principles of non-violence were openly discussed, some adhering to it as a mere policy and as policy, liable to change. To these Mr. Gandhi replied: ]

I am sorry that I find a nervous fear among some Hindus and Mahomedans that I am undermining their faith and that I am even doing irreparable harm to India by my uncompromising preaching of non-violence. They seem almost to imply that violence is their creed. I touch a tender spot if I talk about extreme non-violence in their presence. They confound me with texts from the Mahabharata and the Koran eulogising or permit- ting violence. Of the Mahabharata I can write without -restraint: but -the most devout Mahomedan will not, I hope, deny me the privilege of understanding the message of the Prophet. I make bold to say that violence is the creed of no religion and that whereas non-violence in most cases is obligatory in all, violence is merely permissible in some cases. But I have not put before India the final form of non- violence. The non-violence that I have preached from Congress platforms is non-violence as a policy. But even policies require honest adherence in thought, word and deed. If I believe that honesty is the best policy, surely whilst I so believe, I must be honest in thought, word .and deed ; otherwise I become an imposter. Non- 'violence being a policy means that it can upon due

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