INDIAN DEMAND

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1940, Page 10

INDIAN DEMAND

Complete Independence CONGRESS DECISION. CALCUTTA, March 18. The Indian National Congress approved by a large majority the Patna resolution, rejecting Dominion status, and demanding complete independence. Left Wing members urged immediate action. The Communists demanded civil obedience, resistance and total severance from Britain. Mr Gandhi, technically a non-mem-ber of the Congress, was subjected to some criticism because he did not promote civil disobedience. Others, on the contrary, affirmed him India’s man of destiny. Mr Gandhi criticised the formation of different groups within the Congress, which should not exist in a fighting organisation. He added that the resolution strengthened his position as leader. He would not be stampeded into a struggle, until his conditions were accepted.

SECRETARY FOR INDIA’S SPEECH. NO REPRISAL FOR SHOOTINGS. RUGBY, March 18. Lord Zetland’s attendance at the Lords, to-day, was the occasion of a congratulatory speech from Lord Snell and Lord Samuel, on his escape from serious injury on March 13, when Sir M. O’Dwyer was assassinated. In appreciative acknowledgment Lord Zetland said his thoughts went out to Lady O’Dwyer in her overwhelming tragedy. It had been brought to his notice that apprehension had arisen, he said in various quarters lest the tragedy be permitted to affect the judgment of the British Government upon the affairs of India. “I am glad of this early <>pportunity to state in public that the act of an isolated fanatic cannot conceivably have the smallest influence upon the judgment of the British Government, one way or the other, upon the affairs of India.” He added that his personal affection and admiration for things Indian, and the Indian peoples, were far too deeply rooted to be in any way shaken by the episode.