Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/827

 LETTER TO HAKIM AJMAL KHAN

��[The following letter was addressed by Mr. Gandhi to Hakim Ajmal Khan from the Sabarmaty Jail, dated the 12th M arch, 1922.]

My dear Hakimji,

Since my arrest this is the first letter I have commenced to write after having ascertained that under the Jail Rules I am entitled to write as many letters as I like as an under-trial prisoner. Of course you know that Mr. Shankerlal Banker is with me, I am happy that he is with me. Every one knows how near he has come to me naturally, therefore, both of us are glad that we have been arrested together.

I write this to you in your capacity as Chairman of the Working Committee and, therefore, leader of both Hindus and Mussulmans or better still, of all India.

I write to you also as one of the foremost leaders of Mussulmans, but above all I write this to you as an esteemed friend. I have had the privilege of knowing you since 1915. Our daily growing association has enabled me to seize your friendship as a treasure. A staunch Mussulman, you have shown in your own life what Hindu-Muslim unity means.

We all now realise, as we have never before realised that without that unity we cannot attain our freedom, and I make bold to say that without that unity the Mussulmans of India cannot render the Khilafat all the aid they wish. Divided, we must ever remain slaves. This unity, therefore, cannot be a mere policy to be discarded when it does not suit us. We

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