I am, therefore, of the opinion that no part of it should be published. All that is necessary to state is that the relationship between Baba and me is not that of guru and disciple, but is that of two ordinary friends; and that most of the conversation that took place between us related to spiritual matters. Thus, the public here or in the West need not attach any importance to our meeting or conversation.
I do not see any necessity either to print or say anything more of the aforesaid.
Mohandas Gandhi
The following is Chanji's reply to Gandhi:
24 October 1932
Dear Gandhiji,
Your letter of the 19th was just received in Bombay.
I felt happy to read your reply, because it will also serve my purpose in telling those many concerned that you, too, do not like the idea of making public this affair.
Of course, there cannot be any objection from Shri Baba to this, for he does not want any kind of publicity over this affair or, for that matter, any other affair. Therefore, for the present, I feel it is best to drop the matter.
Regarding certain points in your present letter, I intend to clarify this in my next letter. Meanwhile I want you to know that I have not yet received your reply to my previous letter, to which in this last letter of yours, you seem to have hinted that you have replied.
Baba will most probably tour Europe and America next month, visiting various places in regard to his spiritual mission. Preparations for this tour are now afoot.
This much in haste.
Yours,
F. H. Dadachanji
To clarify matters between them, Chanji wrote a long letter to Gandhi three days later:
27 October 1932
Nasik
Dear Gandhiji,
Your letter of the 19th reached me on the 23rd in Bombay.
As I wrote, I felt happy to get your letter, because the contents of it will now serve a useful purpose in replying to people who seek information. I can now tell them openly that you do not deem it fit at present to make public anything pertaining to these talks. Of course, Baba would not want it otherwise. There is no question of his "say" on this matter. He remains very indifferent to whatever is given by the press; besides, he dislikes publicity.
What little has been published to date was given to the press in order to get rid of the reporters knocking at our doors and hounding us for news and disturbing Baba.
