I AM...................RIVERS 415
into politics in 1920 and since then I have taken part in politics and upto this time, I have spent thirty long years of my life in serving my community. Although I want to leave politics, but I have been compelled to remain in politics thinking the necessity of organising my community. Out of these thirty years, eight years I was Member of the Government. I do not know if there is any politician who has been in politics continuously for such long time. I remained in the Government for eight years and had I wished I could have remained for ever there. I am not proud of it but I know that with my qualifications at my back, nobody had power to expell me if I simply wanted to remain there. But the cause of my community necessitated my resignation from the membership of the Congress Government. I may assure you that I have always kept the well-being of my community in mind wherever I go.
When I came from England after getting my degree in Doctor of Philosophy, there was nobody in India with such qualifications. So when I reached Bombay and settled in the Mohalla from where I had gone, the Bombay Government after a great difficulty found my place, as nobody knew where I was residing, it was such an unpopular place, and approached me to accept the post of Professor of Political Economy. I refused the offer. If I had accepted that job, I would have been at least the Director of Public Instructions. I would have got three or four thousands of rupees per month. I refused the post because I had a great feeling for the service of my community which I could not have done remaining in that service. A Government servant, you know, cannot serve his community as he has to go according to the wishes of the Government and follow the policy of the Government.
After earning some money for two-three years, I again went to England for further studies and came back as a Barrister. When I returned to Bombay, I was again asked by Bombay Government to accept the post of a District Judge. I was offered Rs. 2,000 per month and promised that I will be a High Court Judge after some time. But I did not accept that also. My income although, from the other source at that time was only Rs. 200.