I now come to the question of khaddar which I regard as one of the most
important questions before us. As I have already said, I am opposed to the
manufacture of Khaddar on a commercial basis. I said among the other
things when I seconded the Bezwada resolution on the 31st of March in 1921
proposed by Mahatma Gandhi:
"Our reason in asking the people to take to Charka was not based upon any
desire to enter into any competition with foreign capitalist production
either from without or from within. Our idea is to enable the people to
understand and fashion for themselves, their economic life and utilise the
spare time of their families and opportunities with a view to create more
economic goods for themselves and improve their own condition." The idea
is to make the people of this country self-reliant and self-contained.
This work is difficult but essential and should be carried on with all our
strength. I would much rather that few families were self-contained than
that factories were started on a large scale. Such factories represent a
short-sighted policy, and there is no doubt that though it would satisfy
the present need it will create an evil which it would be difficult to
eradicate. I am naturally opposed to the creation of a new Manchester in
India of which we have had sufficient experience. Let us avoid that
possibility, if we can.
It is often stated that Khaddar alone will bring us Swaraj. I ask my
countrymen in what way is it possible for khaddar to lead us to Swaraj? It
is in one sense only that the statement may be true. We must regard
khaddar as the symbol of Swaraj. As the khaddar makes us self-contained
with regard to a very large department of our national life, so it is
hoped that the inspiration of khaddar will make the whole of our national
life self-contained and independent. That is the meaning of the symbol. To
my mind such symbol worship requires the spreading out of all
non-co-operation activities in every possible direction. It is only thus
and only thus that the speedy attainment of Swaraj is possible.