Saturday, June 03, 2006

The Truth of 1942

The Indian secular elite must analyse objectively and rationally the causes of India’s partition and the forces who brought it about... On March 31st, 1942, Maharshi Aurobindo wrote a letter to Sir Stafford Cripps supporting the stand of the British government and said,
‘As one who has been a nationalist leader and worker for India’s independence, though now my activity is no longer in the political but in spiritual field, I wish to express my appreciation of all you have done to bring about this offer. I welcome it as an opportunity given to India to determine for herself, and organize in all liberty of choice, her freedom and unity and take an effective place among the world’s free nations. I hope it will be accepted and right use made of it , putting aside all discords and divisions… I offer my public adhesion, in case be of any help in your work.’ ( Collected work of Sri Aurobindo: 1942 page 229).
Gandhi did not even acknowledge this. Apart from Aurobindo, M.N.Roy and other dissenters including veteran Congressman Achyut Patwardhan also considered 1942’s quit India call made by Gandhi an uncalled for and unnecessary exercise. Actually, once Gandhi made up his mind, it would have been difficult for any one to bring him to negotiating table and discuss some thing different. posted by Manuski: Humanism for all 2:56 AM

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