India's Political Crisis

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 49, 28 February 1938, Page 6

India's Political Crisis

New and Welcome Sense RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS (British Official Wireless) Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m. RUGBY, Feb. 26. Reports from India indicate that an agreement similar to that in the United Provinces regarding the release of “political” prisoners is certain in Bihar. While the principle that there should be no indiscriminate release has been secured, the Governor has expressed himself willing to follow the advice of his Ministers in remitting the unexpired portion of sentences in cases already examined, and the Ministers themselves will examine the remaining cases individually. In a joint communique issued at Lucknow by the Gcvernor and Prime Minister, it was stated that there is no reason to fear any usurpation or interference with the legitimate functions of responsible Ministers. “We are both desirous of maintaining healthy conventions, and with goodwill on both sides we hope to succeed,” it state;!. The Times says: “Even more important than the actual terms of the compromise, the Ministers’ withdrawal of their resignations is abundant evidence of the emergence of a new' and welcome political sense throughout India. Nothing has been said or done by responsible elements in the Congress Party to aggravate the crisis. The Nationalist Press has show’n admirable restraint in its comments, and opponents of the National Congress have made no attempt to make capital out of the dispute. So far from shirking responsibility, the leaders of that party and particularly Gandhi have shown their genuine desire that the Congress Ministers should remain in office. They are strongly opposed to several ventures in the new Constitution, but they have made no attempt to convert the recent dispute into a campaign against the reforms as a whole. “In short, they have shown that they have abandoned their former negative attitude for a co-operative, constructive constitutional policy, which will be of immense benefit to India as a whole. Both the Government of India and those leading the Indian Nationalist Party have emerged with great credit.