I have declared that I am open-minded to all their demands [to make them united]. But first they should all meet together and then come to me, but they say that they are in a minority. Still, even though they are a minority, they have their rights and their leaders have standing. Let us see what happens.
"He who is courageous fears nothing. They too have suffered for the country and gone to prison. How could we suddenly leave them out? For that reason, I have called Dr. Ansari and he is coming.1 Had he not been invited, there would have been obstacles. I have called him on condition that he ask for a joint electorate."
Gandhi concluded, "A sleeping man can be aroused by sprinkling cold water on him or by shaking him. But what can one do with the man who is awake but does not want to get up? It is useless! It's a scandal! They want separate electorates but they are playthings [pawns] in the hands of the British."
Baba replied, "But in the end, it should not happen that the British do not grant anything, thereby throwing the blame on the Indian leaders and accusing them of having found no unanimous agreement. So, what will be given and how will it be given?"
"It will be like that. When none agree, what can one do?"
Baba then asked, "How do you find the mood of the people here in England?"
"The government and those in authority are like shrewd dacoits, but the behavior of the common people is good. At least this much will be of satisfaction. We have awakened them to the state of affairs in India and some seed is sown. The fruit will take time to appear, but there is no other way than to have patience until then.
"If we leave without gaining anything, the British leaders will conclude that we came to roam about for a spell in the jungle. We should be patient until the time comes, because those in the government are unscrupulous. But in the end, they will have to grant us great power. We are not going to sit idly by with our hands folded when we return to India. Some activity and agitations will arise. We will suffer, but we will be patient."
Baba spelled out to Gandhi, "What I wish you to know is that now India will have to suffer much more, but it is beneficial from the spiritual viewpoint.
Footnotes
- 1.Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari was president of the Indian National Congress and the Muslim League during the Indian independence movement.