GANDHI’S FAST

Grey River Argus, 27 February 1943, Page 5

GANDHI’S FAST

Six Days To Go

CONDITION UNCHANGED

BOMBAY. February 25.

A medical bulletin, signed by’ six doctors, says that Gandhi macle no further progress. There is no appreciable change in his -condition. Optimism is rising in medical circles that Gandhi will survive the remaining six day's of the fast, which ends at eight a.m. (Indian Standard Time) on March 3. He is in good spirits, and had a sponge bath this morning. Although fully conscious, he rarely speaks, except when visitor's call in the evening. NO COMMONS DEBATE. RUGBY, February 25. Replying to Mr. Greenwood, in the Commons. Mr. Eden said that in the Government’s view, a debate on the general Indian situation would be unwise under existing circumstances. The debate would serve no useful purpose, but rather the reverse. The Government would be prepared to review the situation as it developed. Mr. Amery, in the Commons, reminded the. House that the published correspondence between the Viceroy and Gandhi contained no indication that Gandhi saw cause for regret for the outbreaks of murders, violence, sabotage, which followed the Congress Party’s authorisation in August of a mass struggle. By rejecting the Government and India’s offer to release hjm for th e period of the fast, and by' declaring the fast would be unnecessary if he were released, Gandhi also made clear the object of the fast was simply to enforce unconditional release. Britain was in entire agreement with India’s decision. It could not .yield to this threat. There could be no justification for the release of men who deliberately planned to paralyse India’s defence at a most critical moment, and had shown no signs of abandoning their criminal purpose. Nor was there any reason in this respect for discrimination between Gandhi and other Congress leaders.

EIGHT DEATH SENTENCES. TWO AIRMEN MURDERED CALCUTTA, Feb. 25. ■ A special civil service judge at. Patna sentenced to 1 death eight. Indians for one of the most cold-blood-ed and most gruesome murders during the Congress disorders, when two members of the R.A.F. (one British and on e Canadian) were killed. Two other Indians were sentenced to transportation and four more to five years’ rigorous imprisonment. The trial revealed that an armed mob of hundreds strong held up at. Fatwa a train in* Which the R.A.F. officers were travelling. The mob attacked the officers in a first-class compartment, and hacked and speared them to death, and subsequently paraded the bodies in the main street of Fatwa.