[Gandhiji] first asked everyone if he had understood all the implications of the Bardoli Resolution.
Then let me put it to you in a nutshell. The resolution means that, if the Government gave a guarantee that full freedom would be given after the war, the Congress would help in keeping this Empire alive. It was not that the bargain had been actually made, but the terms had been agreed upon, whereas, if I did not want to enter into any bargain at all, I should plainly say so. If you feel that on your agreeing to offer full co-operation in the war effort, India will have complete independence after the war, that the British will thereafter remain in India at your mercy and sufferance, that even during the war you will run your own affairs provided of course that your Defence Minister will carry on the war to victory, you must confirm the Bardoli Resolution. The temptation is very great indeed. If for that sake you are ready to reverse the Congress policy and purchase swaraj and pay as price thereof ahimsa, you must confirm the resolution. Remember that the very greatest of our leaders are party to the resolution and they have not chosen to do so lightly. As against this there are those who think that ahimsa is a pearl of great price and that it cannot be given up, that it can never be the price of swaraj, then their position is different. But if you are in doubt, if you feel that in sticking to ahimsa you lose both ahimsa, because you are incapable of it, and swaraj, that Gandhi is a good man but it would be prudent not to go the whole length with him, then you must accept the resolution. Only those will express their disapproval of it who are sure in their heart of hearts that prudence, political insight, policy, every consideration demands that ahimsa may not be sacrificed for swaraj. Now let those who will vote for the Bardoli Resolution raise their hands. Good. Now let the acharyas (masters) of ahimsa raise their hands.
There were about ten neutrals who wanted to put questions, but Gandhiji said as the vote was quite informal the neutrals need not trouble themselves.
Mahatma Gandhi stated that he had not left the Congress, and his position was the same even at Bombay. He said :
I am a servant of the Congress and I want to serve the Congress in consonance with the principles of truth and non-violence. The Working Committee has decided to co-operate with the Government in war if Britain grants swaraj to India.
Whatever be my opinion, you must exercise our free judgement in this matter.
It is not a fact that the Congress has violated the principle of non-violence but it has only made a small opening for violence just with a view to shaking hands with Britain.
Rajaji thinks that all of us should go to war fully armed, but it may not be the opinion of all.
We should continue the constructive programme. Of course it will be now very much restricted. I do not want to send workers to jail nowadays when their services can be better availed of in alleviating panic.
