The following wires have been exchanged between the First Member of the Rajkot State Council and myself:
Hear satyagraha prisoners Rajkot jail fasting. For Sardhar prisoners said to be inhumanly treated. Could you enlighten me?ΓÇöGandhi (dated 20-2-'39).
Your telegram. Personally visited Sardhar yesterday. No truth absolutely whatsoever regarding ill-treatment to prisoners. First Member of Council (dated 21-2-'39).
Thanks wire. You are silent about hunger-strike. Have again long wire about atrocities which difficult to disbelieve. Every day urge growing that I should myself plunge. Agony of Ruler's breach of faith, coupled with growing tales of terrorism, becoming unbearable. Have no desire embarrass Thakore Saheb or Council. Would like you listen to voice of old man claiming to be Rajkot's friend.ΓÇöGandhi (dated 22-2-'39).
Absolutely no truth in allegations of ill-treatment to Sardhar prisoners. Whole thing nothing but fabrication. Regular programme of daily diet, bedding, etc., nearly on same lines as Rajkot arranged. Written information to above effect given to prisoners on hunger-strike in local jail by me. In spite of these they unreasonably insist continue fasting. Assure you everything humanly possible being done give fair treatment. Please have no anxiety.ΓÇöFirst Member (dated 23-2-'39).
If all reports are fabrication, it is serious for me and co-workers. If there is substance in them, it is serious reflection on the State authorities. Meanwhile, the hunger-strike continues. My anxiety is unbearable. Therefore, propose start for Rajkot tomorrow night taking with me medical attendant, secretary and typist. I come in search of truth and as peacemaker.
Have no desire to court arrest. I want to see things for myself and shall make ample amends if my co-workers have been guilty of fabrication. I shall also plead with Thakore Saheb to repair breach of faith with his people. I shall ask people to avoid demonstrations and am asking Sardar, pending my effort in Rajkot, to suspend satyagraha by persons in Rajkot or from outside. If by any chance Thakore Saheb and Council can restore pact intact, subject to adjustment of members, and prisoners are immediately set free and fines restored, I naturally cancel my proposed departure. You can send official with full authority to negotiate adjustment as to personnel. Majority of Sardar's nominees will be a condition. May God guide Thakore Saheb and his Councillors. May I expect express wire?ΓÇöGandhi (dated 24-2-'39).
Since your telegram you must have received information that hunger-strike has been discontinued since last night having no justification, as telegram sent to you by Nanalal Jasani and Mohanlal Gadhadawala must have convinced you. His Highness does not consider there has been any breach of faith on his part and is only anxious that representative Committee appointed by him should be able to start working in calm atmosphere, so that he may be in a position to introduce as soon as possible such reforms as may be found by him to be required after fully considering the Committee's recommendations. His Highness feels sure that in the circumstances explained, you will appreciate that no useful purpose could be served by your coming here now. He wishes once again to assure you that no atrocities or terrorism have been or will be allowed. ΓÇöFirst Member (dated 24-2-'39).
Your wire is no answer to my heart-felt entreaty. I leave for Rajkot today on my mission of peace.ΓÇöGandhi (dated 25-2-'39) .
These wires tell their own tale. I am glad the fast is broken. That certainly removes one cause of anxiety. But the charge of fabrication abides. I know personally many of the workers in Rajkot. They and I must make full reparation if they have resorted to falsehood in order to make out a case of atrocities against the authorities. The struggle in Rajkot, as in other States, is part of the struggle for the liberation of India. Mutual mud-flinging cannot advance the cause. Truth must be ascertained.
The telegram of the First Member denies the charge of breach of faith. It baffles me. I do not know what is meant by the denial. The notification announcing the pact and the notification announcing the breach with Sardar Patel are clearly contradictory as one reads the plain language of the two.
I have suggested that the Resident at Rajkot is responsible for the breach. I have been told that I have been hasty in bringing this charge and that there is another side. If there is, it is my duty to know it. I shall make it a point to seek an interview with him and if I find that I have done an injustice to him, I shall tender a public apology. I feel that it is wrong on my part to allow the sufferings to continue in the midst of mutual recriminations. The least I can do is to go to Rajkot and find out the truth and invite the Thakore to repair what is a palpable breach of faith, unless I discover that the repudiation of this charge is somehow justified.
If the statements made by the workers about atrocities are true, there must be found a way of avoiding such exhibitions of man's worst passions. He must be helped against himself, if it is at all possible. It is part of the struggle for liberty, if it is non-violent, to reclaim even the goondas, whether they are to be found among the people or those in authority. By going to Rajkot, I want to exert myself to the utmost of my capacity and find out the way of dealing with the goonda element in society. In this respect Rajkot is a test case. I go to Rajkot because I am the same friend of the States that I have always claimed to be.
It hurts me that by force of circumstances, all of which perhaps I do not know, the Ruler of Rajkot has been made to break his word given to his people. I hold that it is the duty of the Princes of Kathiawar, if not of all India, and their advisers to help to rectify the wrong, if it is done. An honourable mutual understanding is impossible if faith becomes a valueless article. Life to me becomes a burden when I find myself witness to a breach of faith, as I happen to be in this case. Let it be recalled that I was the author of the draft that the Ruler of Rajkot signed with but a slight modification. I know that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel left no stone unturned to ensure that it was signed with the fullest understanding.
As I go to Rajkot purely as a messenger of peace, I have asked Sardar Patel to suspend the Rajkot civil resistance whilst, under God's guidance, I make the humble effort to end the agony. The public will please remember that I am an invalid so far as the body is concerned. They will avoid demonstrations at the stations. In Rajkot the citizens will carry out the instructions of the State authorities during the suspension period. I shall need freedom from turmoil during my negotiations. I want the silent prayers of all who believe in them. Though Rajkot is a tiny place on the map of India, the principle for the vindication of which I go to Rajkot is one without which society must disintegrate.
