VOICES FROM INDIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24189, 3 February 1942, Page 4

VOICES FROM INDIA

With the Japanese advance into Burma, the threat to India comes close, and should present itself the more vividly to Indian minds. That fact is probably responsible for voices being raised in favour of action to end the present,state of disunion and divided purposes which is preventing full Indian co-oper-ation in the fight against aggression. The situation is paradoxical in many ways. Indian troops are fighting gallantly in the Middle East and against the Japanese at several points. Their contribution to the conquest of Eritrea and Abyssinia was outstanding, and the part they have played in Libya needs no more extolling than it has already had from commanding officers and others on that front. The Indian effort in producing munitions of all kinds is also great and growing. Yet the strongest and most articulate body in India, the All-India National Congress, is still ranged against effective co-operation until the independence of India, full and unconditional, is assui'ed. Even if that were granted, there is no certainty

that Gandhi's creed of non-violence even against dictatorship would not be again, asserted and obtain a following from the ranks of Congress. That body is primarily a Hindu organisation. It is the more important, therefore, to find the Mahasabha, an orthodox Hindu body, declaring for full participation in the defence of India, and a former Congress Minister demanding co-operation in the provinces. These are minority voices it is true, but it is something that they should be sounding so clearly and emphatically.