Page 95 - GANDHI A Biography for Children and Beginners

GANDHI – A Biography for children and beginners

States (Chief Ministers were called Prime Ministers at that time). The

Governments set examples in probity, accountability, austerity and concern for

the problems of the people.

But the Governments could not remain in office for long. On the 3rd of

September 1939, the Second World War broke out. As soon as Britain declared

war on Germany, the Viceroy too declared that India was at war with Germany.
There was not even the semblance of consultation with the Prime Ministers in

the States or the representatives of the people. The Congress Ministries

resigned declaring that the hollowness of the claims of the new Constitution
had been exposed.

What was the Congress to do during the war? Were they to help actively in the

war effort? Prominent leaders of the Congress like Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana
Azad, Rajagopalachari and others were supporters of the Allies. They were

totally against Hitler and Mussolini, against Nazism and Fascism. They

supported Britain and the Allies because they were fighting for democracy—

against dictatorship. They wanted India to take full part in the fight for
democracy. But how could India do so, how could the leaders enthuse the

people of India to cooperate in the war, if democracy was meant only for

Britain, and not meant for India as well. They wanted the Congress to tell the
Viceroy that the Congress would support Indian participation in the War effort

if the British Government would declare that at the end of the war, India would

attain full freedom. They would participate in a national Government if it was

set up on these terms.

Gandhi himself supported the Allied cause. He met the Viceroy. He could not

help shedding tears when he thought of the destruction of the historic city of

London or of the woes of the people. But he was against all wars. The British
attitude to India had disillusioned him. Yet his sympathy for the Allied cause

and people who had to suffer the terrible consequences of the war came from

his heart. However he was a votary of non-violence. He believed that all wars
were ruinous. They would cause suffering, but would not solve any issue. He

wanted to work for a world without wars. Only non-violence could save

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