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DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
3. Gandhi’s letter to the Viceroy, dated 27th July 1944.
“D EAR F RIEND, I must admit my disappointment over your letter of 22nd instant. But I am used to work in the face of disappointment. Here is my concrete proposal.
I am prepared to advise the Working Committee to declare that in view of changed conditions, mass civil disobedience envisaged by the resolution of August 1942, cannot be offered and that full cooperation in the war effort should be given by the Congress, if a declaration of immediate Indian independence is made and a National Government responsible to the Central Assembly be formed subject to the proviso that, during the pendency of the war, the military operations should continue as at present but without involving any financial burden on India. If there is a desire on the part of the British Government for a settlement, friendly talks should take the place of correspondence. But I am in your hands. I shall continue to knock so long as there is the least hope of an honourable settlement.
After the foregoing was written, I saw Lord Munster’s speech in the House of Lords. The summary given by him in the House of Lords fairly represents my proposal. This summary may serve as a basis for mutual friendly discussion.
I am, Yours sincerely, (Sd.) M. K. G ANDHI .”
4. Viceroy’s reply to Mr. Gandhi, dated 15th August 1944.
“D EAR M B, G ANDHI, Thank you for your letter of July 27. Your proposals are :—
( i ) that you should undertake to advise the Working Committee : ( a ) “that in view of changed conditions mass civil disobedience envisaged by the resolution of August 1942, cannot be offered” and ( b ) “that full co-operation in the war effort should be given by the Congress provided
( ii ) that His Majesty’s Government ( a ) declare immediate Indian independence, and ( b ) form a “National Government” responsible to the Central Assembly “subject to the proviso that during the pendency of the war the military operations should continue as at present but without involving any financial burden on India.”
His Majesty’s Government remain most anxious that a settlement of the Indian problem should be reached. But proposals such as those put forward by you are quite unacceptable to His Majesty’s