FAST BEGUN

Southland Times, Issue 22011, 10 May 1933, Page 5

FAST BEGUN

GANDHI’S DECISION RELEASE FROM PRISON UNCONDITIONAL NO GENERAL AMNESTY (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) Calcutta, May 8. Gandhi began his fast at noon today and was released by the Government at nine o’clock at night when he was taken to the Bombay bungalow of Lady Thackersey, widow of the Bombay Hindu millionaire. Gandhi was released unconditionally because the Government regards his fast as genuine and not a device to obtain his freedom. It does not imply any change in the Government’s attitude towards civil disobedience. Gandhi has suspended civil disobedience for one month. He told the Government that if it withdrew the ordinances and released all political prisoners he would, if he survived his fast, take up the thrftids he dropped at the last London Round-Table Conference. A British Official Wireless message states that the circumstances and purpose of Gandhi’s present fast are entirely different from those of the fast he undertook last year. On that occasion it was sought to bring pressure upon the Government to alter its decision on policy. His present fast has no political significance and is entirely dissociated from civil disobedience. Gandhi has declared his intention of imposing upon himself this ordeal in order solely to forward the removal of “untouchability” and of devoting the rest of his life' to that cause. He has been in the Yeravada gaol for 1G months, but could at any time have regained his liberty by • renouncing the civil disobedience movement.

No general amnesty of civil disobedience prisoners is contemplated by the Indian Government.