Kunvar Sir Jagdish Prasad and Mahatma Gandhi

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar

Gandhi Research Foundation, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

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Kunvar Sir Jagdish Prasad and Mahatma Gandhi

 

Kunvar sir Jagdish Prasad was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi. He discussed him issues of South Africa issues. He wrote many letters to him and exchanged his ideas.  Many thanks for your full letter of 31st ultimo on the S. A. Indian question. I share the hope with you that H. M.’s Government will make effective representations. The expression Commonwealth of Nations, has no meaning for us if what is going on in S. A., Kenya, etc., is its connotation. I had a full chat with Sir Girjashanker. 1 

I know you have been putting up a good fight on behalf of the Indians in S. A. I have been staying their hand. But they are getting restive. They won’t be satisfied with any patch-work settlement. I know, too, that nothing brave is to be expected from here. It is therefore doubly necessary not to prolong the agony. If you can, you should tell Rama Rau to keep himself in touch with the Passive Resisters. As you know there are two parties there. He should take the P. R. s into his confidence. They complain that he does not even recognize them. I can hardly believe this of Rama Rau. I am making inquiry. But I thought you should know what I am getting from S.A.  Sir Jagdish Prasad wrote to Gandhiji on July 13 and 21, 1939. In the first letter, he suggested that the move by some Indians in South Africa to embark on passive resistance would be a grave mistake. In the second letter, he expressed gratitude to Gandhiji for asking Transvaal Indians to postpone passive resistance. 2

Sir Jagdish who dropped in and who was to dine at Sir Tej Bahadur’s joined the conversation. But not the slightest political importance attaches to these conversations. We talked as individuals and not with regard to any mission. Sir Tej Bahadur is anxious (who is not?) to end the present deadlock. He would give anything to bring about Hindu-Muslim unity. He ascribes to me overmuch capacity for bringing about unity. Sir Jagdish is no less anxious. But the talks were no more than a friendly interchange of views. As to the visits to Malaviyaji Maharaj, the same thing happened. He has aged. He ought not to talk about current events. He is too weak. But the country’s affairs are his daily food.

 

References:

1. LETTER TO KUNVAR SIR JAGDISH PRASAD, June 5, 1939
2. LETTER TO KUNVAR SIR JAGDISH PRASAD, August 21, 1939
3. 3.       STATEMENT TO THE PRESS, March 6, 1941