E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi – His Life & TimesGandhi's formula was 'not to put any obstacle in the way of the British forces';not to assist the British actively; and to offer complete passive resistance tothe Japanese.'If the Japanese come,' Indians asked, 'how are we to resist them non-violently?''Neither food nor shelter is to be given', Gandhi replied in the June 14, 1942,Harijan, 'nor are any dealings to be established with them. They should bemade to feel that they are not wanted. But of course things are not going tohappen quite so smoothly as the question implies. It is a superstition to thinkthat they will come as friendlies.... If the people cannot resist fierce attackand are afraid of death, they must evacuate the infested place in order to denycompulsory service to the enemy.'On July 26th, answering similar questions in Harijan, Gandhi wrote, 'I wouldrather be shot than submit to Japanese or another power.' He recommendedthe same preference to his friends.Gandhi, the absolute pacifist, would have wished India to give anunprecedented demonstration of a successful non-violent defeat of an invadingarmy. Yet he was not so Unrealistic as to forget that a fierce war to the deathof countries raged. In Harijan of June 14, 1942, Gandhi declared, Assuming thatthe National government is formed and if it answers my expectations, its firstact would be to enter into a treaty with the United Nations for defensiveoperations against aggressive powers, it being common cause that India willhave nothing to do with any of the Fascist powers and India would be morallybound to help the United Nations.'Asked by Reuters in London to amplify this encouraging pronouncement, Gandhicabled, there can be no limit to what friendly independent India can do. I hadin mind a treaty between the United Nations and India for the defence of Chinaagainst Japanese aggression.'Would Gandhi, then assist the war effort? No. United Nations armies would betolerated on Indian soil and Indians could enlist in the British Army or renderother help. But if he had anything to say, the Indian Army would be disbandedwww.mkgandhi.org Page 433