Rajkot, April 10.
My Dear Subhas,
Your letter of 6th instant has been redirected here. I suggested a meeting of the foes to have it out among themselves without any reservation. But so much happened since that I do not know if it is worthwhile. They will only swear at one another and bitterness will become more bitter. The gulf is too wide, suspicions too deep. I see no way of closing the ranks. The only way seems to me to recognise the differences and each group work in its own manner.
I feel myself utterly incompetent to bring the warring elements together for joint work. I should hope that they can work out their policies with becoming dignity. If they do so, it will be well with the country.
Pandit Pant’s resolution I cannot interpret. The more I study it, the more I dislike it. The framers meant well. But it does not answer the present difficulty. You should therefore give it your own interpretation and act accordingly without the slightest hesitation.
I cannot, and will not, impose a cabinet on you. You must not have one imposed on you, nor can I guarantee approval by AICC of your cabinet, and policy. It would amount to suppression. Let the members exercise their own judgment. If you do not get the vote, lead the opposition till you have converted the majority.
Do you not know that I have stopped CD wherever I have influence? Travancore and Jaipur are glaring examples. Even Rajkot I had stopped before I came here. I repeat that I breathe violence in the air. I see no atmosphere for non-violent action. Is not the lesson of Rampur for you? In my opinion it has done immense injury to the cause. It was, so far as I can see, premeditated. Congressmen are responsible for it, as they were in Rampur of Orissa. Do you not see that we two honestly see that same thing differently and even draw opposite conclusions? How can we meet on the political platform? Let us agree to differ there and let us meet on the social, moral and municipal platforms. I cannot add the economic, for we have discovered our differences on that platform also.
My conviction is that working along our lines in our own way we shall serve the country better than by the different groups seeking to work a common policy and common programme forced out of irreconcilable elements.
I sent you wires from Delhi about my utter inability to go to Dhanbad. Rajkot I dare not neglect.
I am well. Ba is down with malignant malaria. This is the fifth day. I brought her with me when she had already commenced it.
I wish you will conserve your health by taking decisive action, leaving the result to God. Your reference to your father is touching. I had the pleasure of meeting him.
I forget one thing. Nobody put me up against you. What I told you in Segaon was based on my own personal observations. You are wrong if you think that you have a single personal enemy among the Old Guard.
Love—Bapu.