Expect Passive Resistance To Be Congress Policy

Northern Advocate, 15 August 1942, Page 3

Expect Passive Resistance To Be Congress Policy

(Rec. 11.40 a.m.)

LONDON, Aug. 14.

Although rioting in India is dying down, observers do not think the Indians are calling off their campaign to oust the British. They forecast the present violence will be replaced by Gandhi’s policy of passive resistance.

There were no disturbances in either Bombay or Delhi today. Official figures show that 40 were killed in the disturbances in Delhi and 59 were injured. Casualties in Nagpur to last night were six killed and 15 injured. Madras province is quiet. There was some interference with traffic in Calcutta, where police had to disperse processions in parts of the city. Eight were sent to hospital after police fired on an unruly mob. The crowd reassembled and stoned a motor car, injuring five of the occupants, including a military officer and a woman. Of a total of 64 mills in Bombay, 53 are now working, compared with 37 yesterday. Points of Tension Benares at first reported disturbances but the situation as a whole suggests that a more or less spontaneous reaction to the Government’s measures are dying down. The situation at Nagpur and Calcutta remains tense. Troops .and police at Nagpur thrice fired volleys against stone-throwers. All schools and colleges were closed today. The University of Calcutta advised schools and colleges to act similarly. Bombay’s death-roll toals 32. Arrests in Bombay since the outbreak of the disturbances are approximately 600. Mobile military police units continue to patrol the troublesome areas. A crowd at Allahabad attacked the police station. Two were killed. There were some disturbances at Ahmadabad. where 34 have been arrested during the last 24 hours. Mill work is still interrupted. Will Keep Faith With China

The Chinese Central News Agency reports that Nehru, on the eve of his arrest, sent a message to the Chinese, pledging that India will keep faith with China whatever happens, not only because China’s freedom is precious to India, but because with it will be entertained India’s freedom. “With China not free, our own freedom would be endangered and worth little. We'believe this great war is a mighty revolution which will only succeed on the basis of freedom for all peoples. Without India’s freedom it will fail in its purpose.”

Hooliganism Decried

In a statement condemning organised hooliganism in India, Rajogobalachari, former Premier of Madras, who resigned from the Congress Party Working Committee at the time of the Cripps Mission, said that those who directed activities involving such mad destruction and disregard for human safety were deluding themselves and destroying the progress achieved. Printed incitements to sabotage of public property clothed in Gandhi language were being widely distributed and plans to dislocate social order were afoot.

If the authorities failed to check these disorders, mob rule of the worst type would be established.