That Letter at Last
The Light (Pakistan), 25th May 1944 Issue (Vol. 23, No. 17, p. 2)
Whether or not the publication of the much-discussed letter from Mahatma Gandhi to the Quaid-i-Azam from the Agha Khan Palace will in any way be found helpful in improving the communal situation, one issue it has certainly clinched beyond all doubt or dispute. It will be recalled that the Hindu press made such a fuss over it when the Government refused to pass the letter on to the League President. It was a challenge to Mr. Jinnah, went up the shout of jubilation from one end of the country to the other and in refusing to take it up as such and give the Government battle on that score was advertised as an act of pusillanimity [cowardliness]. The explanation that the Quaid-i-Azam offered for his refusal to take notice of the interception was described as an attempt to wriggle out of a difficult position in which he had landed himself. Had not the Quaid-i-Azam thrown a challenge in the face of the Government, went on these columnists day after day and week after week, that if Mr. Gandhi were to write direct to him, the Government with all its might dared not stop it? In vain did the League President explain that it was not for mere courtesy correspondence that he had asked; it was for a letter intimating that the Mahatma had changed his heart, seen the unwisdom of the August resolution and was willing to negotiate on the basis of Pakistan. Propaganda went on unabated. It was a very good stick to bear the Quaid-i-Azam with and the Hindu press, with its characteristic disregard of journalistic honesty in everything associated with his name went on harping upon it. Behold, the great Quaid-i-Azam was now backing out of his threat to Government, it shouted and shouted ad nauseum.
The publication of the letter has nailed this lie to the counter. Mahatma Gandhi himself says in his letter that Mr. Jinnah’s invitation to write a letter to him was a conditional one. The letter, after welcoming the invitation, goes on to say:
“One thing I had better mention. There seems to be an ‘if’ about your invitation. Do you say I should write only if I have changed my heart? God alone knows men’s hearts, I would like you to take me as I am”
This is exactly what the Quaid-i-Azam said about the intercepted letter. What he had asked for was not any kind of letter but only a particular kind — a letter showing change of heart as to the Muslim demand of Pakistan. The publication of the letter, while confirming this explanation has brought out two facts once more in very clear relief, it has shown the very high order of scruples and straightforwardness by which the Quaid-i-Azam’s code of public life is characterized, it shows at the same time to what lengths Hindu propaganda is, unfortunately, prepared to go in its hostile attitude towards the League President.
Mahatma Gandhi may by all means be a saint. He certainly is a man of great virtues. But put side by side with the frank, unmincing invitation of Mr. Jinnah, his letter obviously lacks that ring of candour and directness. It seems to be beating about the bush. Either it should have said,
“I have changed”
Or
“I see no reason for change”.
Instead, the letter tries to dodge the issue and unnecessarily drags in the name of God. Change of heart can certainly be known to man as well. If Mahatmaji [Mahatma Gandhi] gives up his opposition to Pakistan, everybody besides God will also come to know at once that there has been change of heart in him. The fact seems to be there is no change of heart, but he does not want to say so. Hence the shelter behind the name of God.
The last sentence strengthens the impression that so far as the Pakistan demand is concerned, Mahatmaji has not changed. He asks Mr. Jinnah to take him as he is. Now this is exactly what Mr. Jinnah or any other Muslim can’t do. No Indian would be prepared to negotiate with Britain on the basis of anything short of complete independence. Certainly not Mahatmaji. Why does he hesitate to give the same fair deal to the Musalman [Muslim]? The Musalman is ever ready to end this deadlock and start negotiations but on the basis of complete freedom for himself. Mahatmaji is an apostle of the golden rule. Why should he not do unto the Musalmans [Muslims] what he would be done by?
It is not for us to appeal to Mahatmaji to rise to the occasion and make the only use of his release that befits a man of his eminence. He has been a lifelong fighter in the cause of India’s freedom. That freedom is now within India’s grasp. It can be had at one big pinch. He alone is the man who can do it. Let him declare that the Musalman shall have his Pakistan and at one stroke will he cut the shackles of India’s bondage. If his inner voice fails him at this historic juncture or if he allows it to be drowned in the whisperings of some of his evil spirits, history will hold him responsible for throwing away India’s deliverance at a time when deliverance was knocking at India’s door.