THE INDIAN QUESTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 256, 28 September 1932, Page 6

THE INDIAN QUESTION.

In accordance with the agreement reached between the Hindus of caste and those known as the depressed classes, Mr Gandhi has ceased his fast which he threatened to the extreme of death. His self-imposed abstention from food was announced by the Mahatma to express his disapproval of the British Government’s plans to settle the communal question in India, and so allow the scheme for self-government to proceed on orderly lines. It was Mr Gandhi’s contention that the British Government’s plan would, in its relation to the depressed classes, or “untouchables” as they are commonly called, mean Hindu disunity. Special electoral treatment was provided for this section, who are estimated to number no less than 60,000,000, and Mr Gandhi contended that they were being severed from the Hindu community. The Prime Minister exposed the fallacy of this in his statement when he said the “untouchables” for the first 20 years, while remaining electorally part of the Hindu community, would receive through a limited number of special constituencies means of safeguarding their rights and interests. The main object had been, while securing to them spokesmen of their own choice in the Legislatures of the provinces where they were found in large numbers, at the same time to avoid electoral arrangements which would perpetuate their segregation. Mr MacDonald also charged Mr Gandhi that he was fasting not to maintain the unity of Hinduism, but to prevent these outcasts of India, bound by the system of caste to a degrading life, from securing their own representatives to better their mode of living. There seems much in Mr Gandhi’s fast that is inexplicable. He has chosen to endanger his life in a crafty and, to his followers, an impressive manner. Hindu unity, unimpaired before, is still maintained. The “untouchables” are to receive 150 provincial council seats within general constituencies. This has been accepted by the British Government which is considering the method of election and franchise. In doing so it complies with its previously announced decision to consider proposals upon which the interested _ parties agreed. This was a provision the wisdom of which is now plainly apparent. In no way can Mr Gandhi or his followers say that the fast, brief though it was, has influenced the British Government, whose great efforts to right the wrong done to the outcast Hindus is worthy of the highest praise.