Gandhi Will Do Or Die For Hindu-Moslem Amity

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 January 1948, Page 5

Gandhi Will Do Or Die For Hindu-Moslem Amity

Received 7.50 p.m.

LONDON, Jan. 14

Indian Cabinet Minister's and others yesterday tried to get Mr. Gandhi to discontinue his fast, but he is adamant, says “The Times” Delhi correspondent, and at his customary prayer meeting in the evening he repeated that he was willing to do or die in the cause of HinduMoslemin amity.

In a homily against communal intolerance he said that neither the Hindus, Sikhs nor Moslems were wholly blameless. All had sinned and he wished tc. take their sins upon himself. He had undertaken this fast not to please or annoy anyone, but in response to his conscience, and it would end when he saw Hindus, Sikhs and Moslems mixing like brothers, without fear. “If I do not survive this fast,” he added, “the responsibility will be mine.” Indian newspapers all reflect the anxiety of the people at Gandhi’s coming ordeal, and urge everyone to show a change of heart, thus obviating the need for the fast. Yesterday Gandhi sipped only water.

Gandhi, leaning on two girls’ shoulders, 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.”

Gandhi, at night, sipped only water from a wooden spoon. He told a prayer meeting that he might Be too weak to conduct further meetings during the fast. The executive of the Congress Socialist group in Bombay resolved to urge communal peace. “It is shameful that Mr. Gandhi should jeopardise hie life to awaken the country’s conscience,” it said.