ONE OF THE FINEST CONTENT GANDHI LETTERS ON THE MARKET REGARDING NON-VIOLENCE

GANDHI MAHATMA: (1869-1948) Indian political and spiritual leader during the Indian independence movement. An excellent T.L.S., M K Gandhi, two pages (separate leaves), 8vo, Sabarmati Ashram, 1st April 1926, to A. Bush Esq., (´Dear Friend´). Gandhi thanks his correspondent for their letter and agrees that it is perfectly true that very often Indian matters are mis-reported, although in the instance his correspondent had quoted the President of the Congress had been correctly reported, and she had advocated a national militia. Gandhi continues to explain ´As a reformer wanting the whole world to accept Non-violence as its final creed, I do not hesitate to appear on platforms where even direct violence may be preached. I no more identify myself with that preaching than I identify myself with all the violence that goes on in the world being in it. I hold that it is enough if I disassociate myself from every form of violence, mentally and physically, and express my disapproval whenever the occasion requires it´, and further states ´I do not know whether you know that the Congress creed is ´attainment of Swaraj by peaceful and legitimate means´. Violence is therefore eschewed in its entirety in the national programme. But I must at the same time own that it does not mean that on the Congress platform people may not advocate the formation of a national militia for purposes of defence. From my own standpoint, a national militia is not necessary, but people who do not believe in Non-violence as their final creed cannot possibly be made non-violent. The spread of non-violence depends upon cultivation of public opinion. Personally I am satisfied that that spirit is daily growing in spite of appearances to the contrary´. Accompanied by the original envelope. A letter of significant content. Some light age wear and a couple of small pinholes to the upper left corner of each page, otherwise VG

In December 1925 the Indian political activist and poet Sarojini Naidu (1879-1949) succeeded Gandhi to become the first-ever Indian woman to be elected President of the Indian National Congress. In that same month Naidu made her historic Presidential Address at the 40th annual session of the Indian National Congress in Kanpur, calling for the formation of a national militia by voluntary conscription. This was not a call for an aggressive army to attack the British, but rather a self-defense force. Naidu believed a self-governing nation (Swaraj ) needed the practical infrastructure to protect its borders and maintain internal peace without relying on British troops. Naidu’s speech highlighted a fascinating internal debate within the independence movement. While she was a loyal follower of Gandhi’s Satyagraha (non-violent resistance), she was also a political pragmatist.