THE INDIAN SCENE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19199, 16 June 1924, Page 10

THE INDIAN SCENE.

It is felt that the present is a fateful period in Indian history, and A Traveller,” writing recently, pointed out the new Legislative Assembly, on its opening, would enter almost at once upon an historic contest between the Government of India and the elected representatives of the people. The cablegrams have shown that the prophecy was accurate. Mr Ramsay MacDonald has issued a statement denouncing “ policies designed to -bring government to a standstill,” but it is not certain that ho has fully measured the difficulty that will arise when the Indian Nationalists take parliamentary action. Before living a first-hand account of some outstanding personalities in this Indian scene, we should bo clear as to the position in the new Legislative Assembly. The Government of India is represented by a party of 50 in an Assembly of 144. The rest are divided among three Indian parties. Forty constitute the Swarajists (or followers of Gandhi), 35 form the Indian Liberal party (or Constitutionalists), and the remaining group of 20 members who are described as Independents are expected to support the Swarajists in many ,nf their demands. Such is the position of parties, and their probable action cannot be dealt with here. But there is all the making of a serious Parliamentary situation, and some of the foremost figures should be better known in England. —The Principal Leaders. — Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru (the Liberal leader) was one of the two Indian representatives at the recent Imperial Conference. He Is a man with a keen intellect, a command of persuasive English, and a protound sense of the misfortunes of his country. He struck me in conversation as being a steadying influence of growing power. Racial prejudice among Anglo-Indians is the chief stumbling block to his influence, but he will probably succeed where his distinguished predecessor (Mr Sastri) would fail. By reason of his representative character, the nobility of his life, and the sacrifices ho ha's made, Pandit Mofilal Nehru will become the outstanding figure of the new session of the Indian Legislative Assembly. He was Gandhi’s right-hand man when the Mahatma was in active operations, and he came to the political movement after a’ highly successful career us a lawyer. He is a man of wide and deep cultuie, and his eloquence is not of the platform, but of the mind and heart. To represent him as an enemy of filmland is a dis-service to ourselves and an injustice to a man capable of high public effort for the Empire. These are the principal Indian leaders in the scene that opens to-day. each is supported by a group of notable men, and busy on their llank is an Independent party containing aide members. _ hm h a situation creates opportunities which tool ■ Of the smaller men like Mr Jmmui m.i.y endeavour to explqjt, but if the direction of policy be left to the Saprus and the Nehrus we mav disapprove their action hut remain confident of their sincerity and public spirit.