India for Indians: Enlarged EditionDas, Chitta Ranjan
History
India for Indians: Enlarged Edition
Das, Chitta Ranjan
India -- Politics and government -- 1919-1947
Now, it has been often said that we are not fit for self-government
because of the existence of this revolutionary party. My answer is:
I do not deny that there is a revolutionary party. I admit it and I
say that no government which is not a national government will ever
be able to put a stop to this revolutionary movement. What do these
people want? They want freedom. They want to change the system of
government. I told you just now that their object is the same as that
of the Congress and the Moslem League. I go further and I say that
their object--not their methods--is now recognised as legitimate
by the British Cabinet. In August last year, the British Cabinet
declared that some kind of responsible government should be introduced
into this country. What does that mean? It means that the system of
government which obtains now, which is bureaucratic, should be changed
or otherwise it is an admission on the part of our masters--after all
it is the British Cabinet who are our masters and not the Bureaucracy
here--it is an admission on the part of our masters that a change of
government, of the bureaucratic system of government is necessary for
the welfare of India. I say the object of the so-called anarchists is
not only the same as that of the Congress and the League but it is an
object which is recognised and sanctioned by the highest authority in
England. Therefore, gentlemen, I say, as I have said elsewhere, that
the only way you can put a stop to this revolutionary movement is by
recognising that simple fact that the people of this country--they
are hungry for Freedom--should be given what they want and I say the
moment you give freedom to the people, there will be an end of this
revolutionary movement (hear, hear). It has been pointed out over
and over again, but the Bureaucracy will not listen. Gentlemen, that
is the position of affairs to-day. Our agriculture neglected, our
education neglected, sanitation neglected, industry and commerce not
seriously considered and along with that we have got a revolutionary
movement in this country. This is the present situation and it is upon
that that a memorable declaration was made by the British Cabinet
in August last year. Now, gentlemen, what have we to say to that? I
desire to place before you clearly what I mean: Your declaration goes
one way and your action goes another way. That is the real grievance
of the people of this country. Tell us, if you want, 'you are not fit
for self-government, we will not give you self-government.' I can
understand that position. I respect plain speaking. I am fond of plain
speaking. Let the bureaucracy say in clear terms 'we cannot afford to
give you responsible government. We want to have this government as
bureaucratic as ever.' 'You can get a little change here and there,
political lolipops with which you can amuse yourselves. But we will
not give you responsible government'--let them so declare, if they
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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