To-day I have to repeat the Message of Freedom. I have been often asked
"what is the meaning of this movement." To my mind, the meaning is
particularly clear. We want Freedom. We want to realise the right of
regulating our own lives. We want to realise the right of building up
the great Indian Nation. We want to compel the bureaucracy to recognise
that right.
It is unnecessary to refer to the past. It is not my desire to
perpetuate bitterness. It is my desire to strengthen our determination
to achieve our freedom.
I advocate the method of Non-Co-operation, as every other method has
failed. I want you to cling to this method, come what may. This is our
last chance and this, at least, will not be in vain.
Do you understand what Non-Co-operation means? You must withdraw your
help in moving the powerful machinery of the bureaucracy. Do you
realise how you can move this machinery? The bureaucracy works its
wicked will through the pleaders, through doctors, through clerks,
through their police officers and through Magistrates and Judges. And
you now see what the Calcutta University contributes. It contributes
all the strength upon which the strength of the bureaucracy depends.
I appeal to you to take away your hands from the wheel of this
machinery. The first thing, therefore, is to come out of the Colleges.
I make no distinction between the Medical students, between the
students of the Engineering Colleges and other students. The problem
is not of education, but of Non-co-operation. If you have this in
view, how can there be any distinction between classes of students?
Is it not clear that all students contribute to the strength of the
bureaucracy? And is it possible to defeat this bureaucracy without
taking away that help? I have heard arguments based on humanitarian
ground; but every humanitarian ground must yield to the supreme
necessity of the moment. There is some inconvenience, some apparent
want of humanitarian consideration, in every great war. Is it possible
that this great war, based on peaceful method as it is, should steer
clear of all inconveniences? I do not believe that there will be any
the more suffering, because of the withdrawal of medical students. I
have given it my anxious thought, and my decision is clear. But even
if it does involve great suffering, I should welcome that suffering,
rather, than leave one stone in its place in the edifice of a monstrous
Education. No, my dear friend, do not delude yourselves. It is easy
to quote Scripture to cover your weakness. Believe me, it is not the
humanitarian ground which is keeping you away, but the imaginary
prospects of worldly advancement which are dangled before your eyes.
The method that I advocate is the method of sacrifice. If you have to
destroy what you consider your chance of success in life, remember, it
is only to defeat the bureaucracy, and to attain Swaraj. How can Swaraj
be attained unless you realise your own right clearly, unhesitatingly?
How can you compel the bureaucracy to recognise, that, which you
yourself do not realise?
Do not listen to those who make careful calculations and tell you that
this movement is bound to fail. I warn you against such doubts and
hesitations. Even if the students do not realise their rights and their
duty, the work of Non-co-operation will go on. But I admit that you may
make it more difficult by refusing to join us.
The Battle of Freedom has never been won in the history of the world
without sacrifice. The armed organizations of powerful bureaucracies,
all over the world, have made armed resistance well nigh impossible.
But the Soul is ever free, and he who is free in his mind can never be
enslaved. I want you to turn away your face from Europe and from the
organization which is of European character. I want you to concentrate
your vision on the things which truly belong to us. The very simplicity
of our life has become difficult of comprehension, because of the
tortuous and complex organization which European culture and education
have placed before us. Once you turn your face away from that, you
will have faith in methods which belong to us in standards which are
really part of our blood and of our bones. What is more simple than the
desire and the determination to withdraw your help from that which is
false and unrighteous? And yet why do you experience such difficulties
in forming that desire and in fixing that determination? The answer is
again the same, _viz._, that Monster of education which is rearing up
its head in defiance, as it were, of everything which belongs to us and
which is dear to our hearts.
I repeat again--Wake up, wake up, wake up. We have slept too long.
Realise the sense of your bondage and stand out boldly and firmly on
the road to Freedom.--_The Servant._