Gandhi Starts Fast

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1948, Page 3

Gandhi Starts Fast

NEW DELHI. Tue. (11.30 a.m.).—Mr Gandhi, who is 78 years old, said tonight that he would break his fast when- communal harmony prevailed in Delhi. The Indian capital should set an example to the rest of the country and Pakistan. • Leaning on the shoulders of two girls. Mr Gandhi addressed a prayer meeting. "I have undertaken to fast for the sake of the Moslems in India, although I am not trying to flatter them,” he said. At night, he sipped only water from a wooden spoon. He told the prayer meeting he might be too weak to conduct further meetings during his fast. The executive of Congress Socialist group in Bombay resolved to urge communal peace. “It is shameful that Mr Gandhi jeopardises bis life to awaken the country’s conscience.” it added. -DEATH DELIVERANCE”

The British United Press correspondent quotes Mr Gandhi as saying that, the fast would end when he was satis-' fleet that there was a reunion of the hearts of all communities, brought about without outside pressure. He added: “I do not embark on it for the sake of the result it may bring. “I do so because I must. “Death for me would be a glorious deliverance rather than that I should be a helpless witness to the destruction of Indian—Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam.” Indian public opinion is certain to be gravely disturbed at Mr Gandhi’s decision, says the correspondent of The Times. • ■ NO RESERVE OF STRENGTH Although enjoying good health, Mr Gandhi is frail and without reserves of strength. Fasting for any length of time must severely strain his constitution. It is certain that, in India at least, if not in Pakistan, the leaders of all communities will get together to promote unity and dissuade him from continuing the fast. Last August, when Calcutta showed signs of being given over to IlinduMoslem rioting, Mr Gandhi, who was then in Calcutta, resorted to fasting. Within a few days the atmosphere had so improved that he was persuaded to desist.

Since then Bengal has been comparatively free from communal trouble.

The previous occasion on which Mr Gandhi fasted was in February, 1943. when he was in gaol and wished to register a protest against the Indian Government’s war policy. That fast lasted 21 days. Food Agreement

In Karachi India and Pakistan signed a food agreement by which India will give 20,000 tons of wheat, 12.000 of barley, and 15,000 of sugar in return for 49,000 tons of rice from Pakistan. No-War Assurance

DAMASCUS, Tue. (11.30 a.m.)—The Arab League Council has decided to offer to mediate in the Indian-Pakistan dispute over Kashmir. The Foreign Minister of Pakistan (Sir Zafrullah Khan) and the Indian Prime Minister (Mr Nehru) today cabled assurances to the United Nations that they will settle the dispute over Kashmir without resorting to war. The cablegrams were in response to a request from the Security Council, which will meet later this week to resume the debate on India’s charge that Pakistan is aiding the raiders in Kashmir.

The New Delhi correspondent of The Times says he has first-hand evidence that Pakistan is unofficially involved in aiding the raiders in Kashmir. Arms, ammunition and supplies are being made available to the raiders. A few Pakistan officers . also are helping. The Government may disavow intervention, moral and material. Clash In Punjab

LONDON, Tue.—Nearly 100 people are reported to have been killed in a six-hour clash at Gujrat, in the Punjab, yesterday, says Reuters Lahore correspondent. The clash occurred when Moslem refugees escorted by Nortti-West Frontier troops tried to board a non-Mos-lem refugee train guarded by Hindu soldiers.