Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/858

 768 JAIL LIFE IN INDIA

of evolving high discipline within a short time* Indeed whilst on the one hand civil disobedience authorises disobedience of unjust laws or un moral laws of a state which one seeks to overthrow, it requires meek and willing submission to the penalty of dis- obedience and therefore cheerful acceptance of the jail discipline and its attendant hardship-.

It is now therefore clear that a civil resistor's resistance ceases and his obedience as resumed as soon as he is under confinement. In confinement he claims no privileges because of the civility of his disobedience. Inside the jail by his exemplary conduct he reforms even the criminals surrounding him, he softens the hearts of jailors and others in authority. Such meek behaviour springing from strength and knowledge ultimately dissolves the tyranny of the tyrant. It is for this reason that I claim that voluntary suffering is the quickest and the best remedy for the removal of abuses and injustices

It is now manifest that shouts of Bande Mataram or any other in breach of jail discipline are unlawful for a non-co-operator to indulge in. It is equally un- lawful for him to commit a stealthy breach of jail regulations. A non co-operator will do nothing to demoralise his fellow prisoners. The only occasion when he can openly disobey jail regulations or hunger- strike is when an attempt is made "to humiliate him or when the warders themselves break, as they often do, the rules for the comfort of prisoners or when food that is unfit for human consumption is issued as it often is. A case tor civil disobedience also arises when there is interference with any obligatory religious practice.

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