Addressing a huge concourse of people of the city of Madras Hindus
and Mahomedans numbering over 50,000, assembled on the South Beach
opposite to the Presidency College, Madras, on the 12th August 1920,
Mahatma Gandhi spoke as follows:--
Mr. Chairman and Friends,--Like last year, I have to ask your
forgiveness that I should have to speak being seated. Whilst my voice
has become stronger than it was last year, my body is still weak; and if
I were to attempt to speak to you standing, I could not hold on for very
many minutes before the whole frame would shake. I hope, therefore, that
you will grant me permission to speak seated. I have sat here to address
you on a most important question, probably a question whose importance
we have not measured up to now.