After the announcement of the decision of the Congress Working Committee, Mahatma Gandhi spoke to a group of Press representatives. Mahatmaji said:
It is needless to say I am very unhappy that I shall not go to London. I know what effect this will have on Lord Irwin, and I also know how disappointed my numerous friends in England will be. But this decision against my going there was inevitable. I was hoping against hope and expected to the last moment that justice would be done.
I think I made a very modest request. If, there was a Settlement between the Government and the Congress, and if there is a dispute in the interpretation of this Settlement or if either of the parties contravenes the terms of the Settlement, then the same rules that are followed regarding other pacts should be applied to this Settlement too. This, in my opinion, is all the more necessary because the present Settlement is between a powerful Government and a mighty Congress, claiming to represent the entire nation. The observance of the terms of the present Settlement cannot be enforced by law. The Government is therefore doubly bound to place before an impartial tribunal all these points of dispute between itself and the Congress. The Government however refused to accept this very modest proposal of the Congress.
Under these circumstances it would have been very wrong for the Congress to join the Round Table Conference. I cannot say anything more than this at this time.
I hope it would be possible for the Working Committee to publish the relevant correspondence as and when necessary. The public will, then, be able to form its own opinion.
After this, a Press representative asked Mahatma Gandhi: "What is your programme for the future?" Mahatmaji replied:
At this moment I am unable to say off-hand what the future programme will be. It will depend on the steps which the Government will take.
Q. Will civil disobedience movement be launched and if so when?
A. As far as I know, there is no idea of starting the satyagraha struggle immediately.
Q. When will you leave Bombay and what is your destination ?
A. I intend to leave Bombay tomorrow evening for Ahmedabad.
Q. Is there any hope of resumption of talks between yourself and the Viceroy about the Settlement?
A. If you are referring to resumption of talks on the question of representation of the Congress at the Round Table Conference, as far as I know, and as far as the Congress Working Committee is concerned, there is no question of resumption of the talks.
After this the representative asked whether the Delhi Settlement endured or was abrogated. Mahatmaji replied:
The breakdown of the present talks does not necessarily mean annulment of the Delhi Pact. Refusal to send a representative to the Round Table Conference for breach of the Settlement is one thing; and abrogation of the Settlement itself is another thing.
I can say this much, namely, Congress is not prepared to do anything drastic in the near future. Congress will endeavour its utmost to fulfil the terms of the Settlement. But the Government can create intolerable conditions. In that case Congress will necessarily act in self-defence.
A representative asked: "Have wholly unbearable conditions been created now?" Mahatma Gandhi replied:
Perhaps wholly unbearable conditions have not been created.
Q. What did the Viceroy write to you?
A. I am not in a position to disclose the Viceroy's reply. I am awaiting permission to publish the correspondence.
