Labour Party and 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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Labour Party and Mahatma Gandhi 

 

Let us now examine the views expressed by the British Labour Party on the Khilafat issue. We summarize them elsewhere. This party declares that the Islamic Empire must be split up, that the Muslims themselves demand this. How can Indian Muslims oppose it? If the Arabs do not want to remain with the Ottomans, should they be kept with them by force? As a satyagrahi, I can answer this question straightaway. I do not wish to deprive the Arabs of their freedom; let them be free, but let them recognize the suzerainty of the Khalifa and let the holy places remain under the control of the Khalifa. I need not fight if this is not done, but I would not co-operate either to bring about the opposite result. This injustice cannot be perpetrated without my co-operation. If every Hindu and every Muslim resigns from the service of the Government, what will be the result? The British will either have to leave India or respect our wishes. And so in my view all that is necessary is to have patience and wait for public opinion to be educated along the right lines. Will Muslims use the present awakening to good purpose or ill? They will prove themselves their own friends or foes. May God give them wisdom and may they maintain conditions in which Hindus can go all out to help them. 1

The report of the Indian Advisory Committee of the Independent Labour Party on the condition of India is an ably written document. It is a severe condemnation of the British Administration. It has among others paragraphs on the so-called reforms, on the power of the Civil Service, on communal favoritism, on the judiciary and the so-called Indian navy. The paragraph on education bears reproduction: Of the general poverty the report says: From the paragraphs on the agricultural conditions, I cull the following: There are interesting paragraphs in the section devoted to industrial conditions. But I must refer the reader for the rest of the interesting information to the report itself which is issued by the I. L. P. for 6d At 14, Great George Street, London, S.W. 2

If the Independent Labour Party confers with the most forward party in India and evolves a constitution which is accepted by the Parliament, you will find all parties acclaiming it. So, if I were you and if I was called upon to guide or lead the Independent Labour Party, I would go to India, find out the forward party, confer with its leaders and then evolve a programme by which I would stick through thick and thin. 3 I appreciate the honour you have done me by sending me your draft Bill and I beg to tender my thanks to those members of the Independent Labour Party who have worked at the Bill. 4

Let me finally say this too. The Labour Government does have the authority but lacks the strength to utilize that authority to its fullest extent. We on our part lack the strength to get our demands accepted. Hence I entertain only a meagre hope of two parties which lack strength getting together and doing any great service to India. My inner voice tells me that if the British Labour Party really wishes to see India gain her independence, it should muster all its strength at present and then carry on a life and death struggle until this independence is achieved. We, on the other hand, should realize our want of strength and keep away from such intricate matters like conferences. However, worldly affairs are not carried on in such logical manner. Hence, we cannot suddenly turn down a hopeful proposal even if it be one from the weak Labour Party. We may attend the Conference, in fact, it should be the dharma of the satyagrahi to do so, provided conditions are granted which would ensure success and an atmosphere is created where we are assured that these will be abided by. A satyagrahi will not let go an opportunity, however small it may be, for any possible compromise. 5

I believe you are a growing party. All the same, I feel you are still insignificant. But you mention Labour Party, which is a dismal failure today. It takes its seat in the House of Lords! 6  You will find greater and greater difficulty as time goes on. The British Labour Party has my full sympathy. Of course, if the mind of the English people in general has been changed as Laski and others tell us and Britain will be content to be dubbed ‘little England’ and get off the backs of others, it may be different. Otherwise the Labour Party will throw itself into the arms of Churchill for whose courage and resourfulness I have the utmost admiration. I do not want Britain to leave India because of her helplessness. I flatter myself that we have come thus far through even our limited non-violence. I do not look with equanimity to India coming into her own by brute force. If Britain would play her part nobly, the growing hatred may give place to friendship. 7

 

References:

 

1. Navajivan, 21-3-1920
2. Young India, 13-5-1926 
3. Letter to Norman Leys, July 23, 1926
4. Letter to A. Fenner Brockway, July 6, 1927
5. Navajivan, 8-12-1929 
6. The Spectator, 6-3-1942
7. Gandhiji’s Correspondence with the Government, 1944-47, pp. 363