POSITION EXPLAINED

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 14, 9 May 1933, Page 7

POSITION EXPLAINED

NO POLITICAL MQTIVE

CAUSE OF "UNTOUCHABLES"

(British Official Wireless.) (Received May 9, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, May 8, Mr., Gandhi was unconditionally released from Yeravda Gaol at Poona near. Bombay at 9 p.m. local time. His release followed the beginning of a 21 days' fast which Mr. Gandhi has undertaken in the cause of the Indian depressed classes. The circumstances and pur* pose of the present fast are entirely different from those of the fast which Mr. Gandhi underwent last year. On that occasion it was sought to bring pressure upon the Government to alter its deL cision on policy. The present fast has no political significance and is entirely dissociated from civil disobedience,' in which movement Mr. Gandhi has played; a prominent part. The Indian Government is convinced that there is no political motive behind the present action and, a« Mr. Gandhi has declared his intention' of imposing upon himself this ordeal in order solely to forward the removal of "untouchability" and of devoting the-rest of his life tq that cause, it has been considered desirable to release him from prison and to attach no conditions or reservations to his freedom. Mr. Gandhi has been in Yeravda Gaol for sixteen months, but he could at any time have regained his liberty by renouncing the civil disobedience movement. The release does mot involve any change of Government policy in regard to that movement and the Government's hands are free to take any subsequent action that circumstances may warrant. No general amnesty of civil disobedience prisoners is contemplated.