MAHATMA - Volume 3 (1930-1934) - Mahatma Gandhi

MAHATMA - Volume 3 (1930-1934)
governing mankind, it must be able to make its way in the face of the heaviest
odds.
"The greatest obstacle in the path of non-violence is the presence in our midst
of the indigenous interests that have sprung up from British rule, the interests
of monied men, speculators, scrip-holders, landholders, factory- owners and
the like. All these do not always realize that they are living on the blood of the
masses, and when they do, they become as callous as the British principals
whose tools and agents they are.
"But non-violence has to be patient with these as with the British principals.
The aim of the non-violence worker must ever be to convert. He may not,
however, wait endlessly. When, therefore, the limit is reached, he takes risks
and conceives plans of active satyagraha which may mean civil disobedience
and the like."
The critics in India said that Gandhi was inconsistent. In one breath he insisted
on independence and in another he said his minimum demand was not even the
dominion status but just eleven points. "If you are unable to evolve a practical
programme that will be consistent, it is time that you discarded the function of
leading the masses and the country to swaraj." Gandhi replied:
"I must admit my many inconsistencies. But since I am called the 'mahatma', I
might well endorse Emerson's saying that 'foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of
little minds.' There is, I fancy, a method in my inconsistencies. There is a
consistency running through my seeming inconsistencies, as in nature, there is a
unity running through seeming diversity. Independence means at least those
eleven points, if it means anything at all to the masses. Mere withdrawal of the
English is not independence. By mentioning the eleven points I have given a
body in part to the illusive word independence.
"As for my leadership, if I have it, it has not come for any seeking, it is a fruit
of faithful service. A man can as little discard such leadership as he can the
colour of his skin. And since I have become an integral part of the nation, it has
to keep me with all my faults and shortcomings. Of this, however, I am certain,
that if they and those who would never criticize me will have the patience to
www.mkgandhi.org Page 18