GANDHI TO FAST

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 35, 11 February 1943, Page 5

GANDHI TO FAST

OFFICIAL ATTITUDE Sequel To Dispute Over Last Year's Riots

N.Z. Press Association. —Copyright Reed. 10.30 a.m. POONA, Feb. 10,

Gandhi, who is 73 years old to-day, began a 21-days' fast at the Aga Khan's Palace near Poona, where he has been detained since August 9, 1942. Gandhi will not fast completely. He will take fruit juice and water. The fast is the sequel to correspondence with the Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow, in which Gandhi repudr ated the suggestion that the Congress party was responsible for recent murders and sabotage, which he blamed on the Government. The Government of India made a statement in which it regretted that Gandhi should employ such a weapon and also seek justification for the movement he and Congress members had initiated. The Government had no intention of allowing the fast to deflect its policy nor would responsibility be accepted foxits consequences to Gandhi s health. The statement adds that it is the Government's wish that, if Gandhi has decided to fast, he should do so as a free man. The Government has accordingly informed him that he would be released for the duration of the fast, but it is now clear tha. only his tinconditional release could prevent him from fasting. The Government is not prepared to concede this, pointing out that if Ganam fasted while detained, it would be at his own risk. He is at liberty to have his own medical attendant and als rpceive visits from friends. India's Communists believe that thev have a great future when their country gains its independence, savs the New York Times Bombay correspondent. A young Communist leader P. Joshi, claims that the party of which the membership and requirements _ are rigid, is 12 000 strong and is supported by many times that number. The correspondent adds that Commi mists working with, the .Congress party, are fighting against expulsion by the middle-class elements controlling the movement. No Com munist is allowed a seat on the working committee, which is the bio-hest Congress body. Communists i clash with Gandhi because.toy ooDose the policy of non-violence. The Congress party is split internally.