Instructive Conversation on Khadi – Mahatma Gandhi

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar, Professor, Editor and Linguist

Gandhi International Study and Research Institute, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

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Instructive Conversation on Khadi – Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

I give below a recent conversation between the manager of a Khadi Bhandar and some customers. Should khadi be sold to such persons?

Q. is this yarn spun by you?

A. No I have bought eight hanks for Rs. 10.

Q. To a second customer: “Are you able to spin all this yarn?”

A. No. This is spun by my daughter. We sell yarn too at the rate of 12 annas per hank.

Q. To a third: “You cannot buy khadi unless you produce the requisite quantity of yarn.”

A. “It does not matter. So long as I cannot get the yarn, I will buy uncertified khadi.”

Q. To a fourth: “Why do you buy khadi?”

A. Because it is easy to procure.

Q. To a fifth: “You are not a regular wearer of khadi. What will you do with what you have bought?”

A. “Today khadi is looked upon as being in the fashion.”

Q. To a sixth: “You do not spin yourself. From where then comes this yarn?”

A. A good friend of mine provides me with yarn.

Q. To a seventh: “Why do you always wear either silk or wool khadi?”

A. Because I do not have to give yarn for these.

Q. To an eighth: “You have bought a large quantity of khadi. What will you do with it all?”

A. “This will last me two or three years. After that it will be seen whether I can get any or not.”

The above questions and answers are revealing. If the new policy in regard to khadi is correct and khadi customers are of the above nature, it proves the necessity for the abolition of the khadi clause from the Congress Constitution. It is worthy of note that the questions and answers concern eight persons. The Charkha Sangh need not cater for the needs of a single one of them. The Spinners’ Association exists only for the poor. Those who wear khadi, do so either for the sake of the poor or for winning swaraj or both. The eight customers mentioned above are concerned with neither. If the Charkha Sangh is to prove the rightness of the ideal for which khadi stands, then its workers must be loyal enough to the new policy and not fear even the closing down of the sales bhandars. They must have the strength to bear any consequences in order to set right the mistakes of the past.

The above conversation also holds a warning to the managers of the bhandars to be wide awake. They should become experts in the science of khadi and be prepared to teach customers the inner meaning of khadi with patience and humility. This may take time but it is worthwhile. If there is faith in the power of khadi I have no doubt that we shall remain steadfast and thereby inspire others the belief also. But if workers themselves lack faith then the claim for khadi will fall to the ground. I have taken for granted that the conversation has been truly reported.

 

Reference:

Harijan, 9-6-1946