Rajaji by Rajmohan Gandhi

Author:Rajmohan Gandhi
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9789385890338
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2010-10-14T04:00:00+00:00

Though rejecting the charge that he was working against Congress, and contending that members could not be ‘totally debarred from persuading Congressmen to alter their opinions,’ C.R. left Congress. A letter from him to Kamaraj acknowledged ‘the value of discipline as well as the need for liberty of thought’ and stated that he was resigning ‘in order to be absolutely free to carry on my campaign’ (The Hindu, 10.7.42).

He resigned, too, from the Assembly. The MCLP met again and cancelled the resolutions it had passed at C.R.’s instance.

As for Quit India, first the Working Committee and then the AICC, which met in Bombay on 7 and 8 August, endorsed it. Misgivings had been expressed by Azad and by Nehru, who was anxious about the defence of China and Russia, but the two fell in after sensing the Mahatma’s fire and the grassroots support for Quit India.

If Britain withdrew, said Congress, a provisional government ‘formed by the cooperation of the principal parties’ would allow Allied troops to be stationed in India — a significant concession from Gandhi that made it easier for Nehru to support Quit India. If Britain rejected the Quit India call, ‘a mass struggle on nonviolent lines on the widest possible scale’ would be launched ‘under the leadership of Gandhiji.’ If leaders were put behind bars and Congress committees prevented from functioning, then ‘every man and woman . . . must be his own guide.’

Resignation had not subdued C.R. He saw the Mahatma again, called on Jinnah who had charged that Quit India was aimed at coercing the British to sanction a Hindu raj, and reported back to Gandhi. On the eve of Quit India, making a fresh effort to bridge the Gandhi-Jinnah divide, C.R. cabled the Mahatma:

Feel you should ignore Jinnah’s allegations and definitely offer him such quota of provisional government as he wants and ask him to nominate his men. This along with your names on behalf of Congress will rationalise your demand of Britain and force acceptance of proposals.

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