Gandhi Spends His Time

Sarjyut Shankerlal, recently released from Yeravda jail, where he was a fellow-prisoner of Mahatma Gandhi, contributed an article to Young India of Bombay, in which he described the existence of Gandhi in jail.

Excerpts:

" We were allowed an unlimited supply of books also from outside. Later, for health reasons, we were both of us allowed lights and bedsteads, and recently Mahatma Gandhiji has been allowed the use of a mosquito curtain. . . . While animal comforts are well looked after, he is mentally starved. . . .

" The public would be naturally anxious to know about Mahatma

Gandhiji's present political views. . . . I have no messages from Mahatma Gandhiji, either private or public. . . . He swears by nonviolence, Charka, Hindu Moslem unity and the removal of untouchability. He spins [with a distaff] regularly every day for four hours, unless his eyes do not permit him. He reads largely religious books, chiefly the Gita and Upanishads. He has read the Koran and he is now re-reading the Bible."

Mahatma Gandhi was educated in England. During the War he organized an Indian ambulance for the British. After the War he started his movement of noncooperation, which enjoined his followers to:

1) Refuse to recognize British rights in India.

2) Take no part in Government of British Raj.

3) Resign all Government posts.

4) Refuse and return all British decorations.

5) Use no violence.

The Court which tried Gandhi held that although Gandhi preached nonviolence, his movement of non-violent noncooperation, invariably ended in violence wherever his doctrine was spread. The Court therefore held that Gandhi was, in effect, a dangerous and seditious agitator. Gandhi refused to recognize the jurisdiction of the Court, and considers himself as a prisoner of war.