E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

142 Contextualising Gandhian Thoughtviews before the people, without fearing the displeasure of theGovernment or of agitators whose ends or methods maydemand his public disapproval. "A believer in non-violence ispledged not to resort to violence or physical force eitherdirectly or indirectly in defence of anything, but is notprecluded from helping men or institutions that are themselvesnot based on non-violence. If the reverse were the case, Iwould, for instance, be precluded from helping India to attainSwaraj because the future Parliament of India, under Swaraj, Iknow for certain, will be having some military, and militaryforces, … and there are not wanting men, who do believe thatcomplete non-violence means complete cessation of all activity.Not such, however, is my doctrine of non-violence, … But Iwould be untrue to my faith if I refused to assist in a just causeany man or measures that did not entirely coincide with theprinciple of non-violence, …Even when both parties believe inviolence there is often such a thing as justice on one side or theother”. 24VIIWhat does all this have to do with the present and thefuture? Are these only matters of interest to those who areconcerned with the subtleties of theory, or do they also havesome effect on the present and the future? Whatever thesubtleties and 'refinements' in which these fallacies are clothed,they have gained currency as cliches. They seem to havebecome parts of a catechism.For instance, in the last two years of more, I have beenasked by many friends, "Have you totally given up politics" Ihave invariably answered with some force: "No. I have not leftpolitics at all. Nor do I intend to do so. Whatever I am doing ispolitical activity. The only difference is that I have ceased to bea member of any political party." Then I go on the offensive,and ask, "Can you show me one line in the 90 odd volumes of