SWARAJ OR GANDHI RAJ?

Dr George Da Silva, a veteran Congressman and president of the Mahakoshal Forward Bloc, wrote the following in March 1941.

The correspondence that passed between Mahatma Gandhi and Desgaurub (Pride of the Nation) Subhas Chandra Bose which has been released to the press by Sj (Mr) Mukundalal Sircar, is most amazing and at the same time, most edifying as it bears direct relation to our political stalemate and deadlock.

The Mahatma has rejected the offer of co-operation humbly submitted by Subhas merely on the grounds of fundamental difference leaving the public in the dark as to the nature of it. This summary refusal without the least consideration of its different aspect at this juncture may well be described as another of Mahatma\\'s Himalayan blunder. Subhas has been and will be in the Congress and this fundamental difference which smacks of Tripuri and Rajkot bungle and its after developments leave no doubt that it is of vindictive nature. If this difference between the two Congressmen could not even be transitorily adjusted at this hours of India\\'s repudiation, what hope is there and could be there of any settlement an even semblance of unity which is dear to the Mahatma\\'s heart between the Congress leadership and other parties?

It is in the knowledge of every one that the differences between the Mahatma and other parties could not be of less fundamental or easier solution. Are not the talks, the pourparlers and the conferences that have taken place and are being arranged, a mere camouflage to hood-wink the credulous and the ignorant and to best serve his own purpose of securing the following and impress the Government of his magical influence. Mahatma\\'s recent statements to the Secretary of the All-India Students\\' Federation, that students should not involve themselves in power-politics and his further remark to the Secretary of the Nagpur Provincial Congress Committee that fair weather politicians should automatically leave the field, though beautifully vague are clear indication of his dictatorial tendencies.

In whichever way the Mahatma may rationlise, he may indulge in sublimation and whatever terrestrial and celestial merit of his theory of non-violence may possess, the rejection of Subhas\\'s offer is a pointer that the Mahatma\\'s genius for remorseless and cold fanaticism is a cloak for real Politik. With this background and previous history, does it lie in the mouth of the Mahatma\\'s followers that the other parties distrust him and doubt his bonafides?

Are not his proposal of Constituent Assembly, the provision of fundamental rights of citizens and safeguarding of religion and culture which are so much boasted are a mere eyewash? For, where is the guarantee that the country will not be ruled by fancies and fads and by crooks and cranks? There could not be a greater indictment of the Mahatma\\'s policy and the demand for National Government than that made by Dr Sumant Mehta, an eminent and veteran politician of Gujarat, when he said in one of his talks here that if the British Government grant the Mahatma\\'s request, it will not be Swaraj but Gandhi Raj.

Day in and day out it has been dinned into our ears that we are fighting for our freedom. The perennial track to the jail has commenced and is in the progress This time to vindicate our freedom of speech but not unfortunately for independence. This expression has become a mere slogan and shibboleth without essential significance which ought to be attached to it. For, freedom means self-expression and the secret of freedom is courage and ability to utilize the opportunity that comes our way. One cannot help crying over the split-milk for the Congress command has lost many good occasions by their obsession to brig about the desired unity in the past and there is every possibility that they will miss the present one.

The war situation is an opportunity which should have been used to stop the rudder less drift in our political destiny and for the salvation of the country but the lack of courage on part of our eminent public men, politicians and publicists to criticise the outworn and outlive leadership which is leading the country to a catastrophe. The Mahatma is said to be best friend of the British in India. He may not be an enemy of the country, yet, it is the duty of the public, specially of those who think for themselves to see that the Mahatma is not permitted to ride his hobby-horse when the country is about to be on fire.

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