HC Deb 14 July 1920 vol 131 cc2353-7
15. Mr. R. GWYNNE

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he took any steps to try Mr. Gandhi for his responsibility in regard to the disturbances in India during the spring of 1919; and, if not, will he state the reason?

Mr. MONTAGU

The Governments of India and Bombay did not see fit to prosecute Mr. Gandhi who, in a public speech at Ahmadabad, expressed his deep sorrow at the form the agitation had taken, and who disclaimed any intention of encouraging violence.

Mr. GWYNNE

After the Hunter Committee reported, did the right hon. Gentleman then take any steps to see that steps were taken against Mr. Gandhi?

Mr. MONTAGU

I preferred to leave the whole matter to the Government of India and the local Government. I recollect what the Hunter Committee said on the subject, but, of course, there is a great difference between moral and legal responsibility.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that any attempt to prosecute Mr. Gandhi would be worse for our hold upon India even than the Amritsar affair? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."]

Mr. MONTAGU

Mr. Gandhi inaugurated a Satyagraha movement and regretted afterwards the consequences that resulted. If he now inaugurates a new movement of the same kind, it cannot be said that he is in ignorance of the consequences that may follow.

Mr. GWYNNE

Is the House to understand that the right hon. Gentleman thinks that if anyone publicly expresses regret afterwards for having caused riots and bloodshed it is quite sufficient?

Mr. MONTAGU

That is not what I said. I leave and I always have left any question as to the necessary steps for maintaining order in India to the local Governments and the Government of India.

Mr. GWYNNE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local Governments prohibited Mr. Gandhi coming into their districts, and that at the same time the right hon. Gentleman made a speech in this House saying that Mr. Gandhi was one of the saviours of India?

Mr. MONTAGU

There can be no doubt—many other people have said it—that Mr. Gandhi's services to India, particularly in South Africa, were very great indeed, and there can be no doubt as to the high character of Mr. Gandhi. Many people who have high characters are politically mischievous. The local Governments were perfectly right, in my opinion, in prohibiting the entry of Mr. Gandhi into their provinces, and I think the utterances of His Majesty's Government on the subject show that they supported them.

Sir H. CRAIK

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it is proof of this Mr. Gandhi's high character and his sincerity that he has now joined, as secretary of the Khalafat Committee, a committee which is pressing points totally against all those that he has hitherto pressed and entirely opposed to his own former principles?

Mr. MONTAGU

I agree with the right hon. Gentleman that if Mr. Gandhi, after what happened last year, persists in a form of agitation such as that which he is now conducting, it would be absolutely impossible to take the same view of his action as was taken last year.

Sir H. CRAIK

That is not the question I asked. I asked if it were a proof of his consistency and sincerity that he has joined, and acts as secretary of, a committee which is propagating notions entirely opposed to those he held previously?

Mr. MONTAGU

I am afraid it is very difficult to answer a charge of that kind without satisfying myself as to the exact nature of it. What I am concerned in is that the Government of India and the local Governments, in their determination to maintain order, will take adequate steps against anybody.

Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many Members of this House are to-day advocating views contrary to those they advocated years ago?

16. Mr. GWYNNE

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Mr. Gandhi is still free to go undisturbed throughout India; whether he is now at the head of the All India Khalafat Committee; whether four of his colleagues on that committee were interned during the War for hostility to the British Government, one convicted in the Amritsar conspiracy, and one sentenced to transportation for life; whether this committee has passed a resolution protesting against the Turkish peace terms and recorded its unequivocal refusal to accept them; and what steps he is taking to see that Mr. Gandhi and his colleagues do not create further trouble and disorders?

Mr. MONTAGU

I have never received any complete list of the members of the Central Khalafat Committee, of which Mr. Chotani appears to be the president and with which Mr. Gandhi is closely associated; and the notice given me was too short to ascertain which of the individuals who were interned or convicted are members of it. Some, certainly, are closely associated with the movement. It passed a resolution in the sense described by the hon. Member. The Government of India and the local Governments are watching the situation closely and taking precautions. For instance, the Seditious Meetings Act has been applied to Delhi, and there have been certain prosecutions elsewhere. I am satisfied that they will take all steps necessary to maintain order.

Mr. GWYNNE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how it is that he has not informed himself of what is going on there?

Mr. MONTAGU

I have taken steps to inform myself of what is going on. I must leave the provisions necessary for maintaining order to the Government of India and the local Governments, and I do submit to this House that it would be extremely dangerous for us here to try to dictate, suggest, or interfere with measures taken by them.

Mr. GWYNNE

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman does not keep himself fully informed of the particulars, even if he does not choose to interfere? Are we to be told presently that the right hon. Gentleman has had no details of this Committee which has been form d, or is he now fully informing himself?

Commander Viscount CURZON

May I ask whether Mr. Gandhi is not now endeavouring to organise a boycott of the Prince of Wales's visit to India?

Mr. MONTAGU

I think Mr. Gandhi's efforts are thoroughly mischievous, but I would prefer to leave their proper treatment to those in whom His Majesty's Government and, I hope, this House have complete confidence, namely, those who have charge of the maintenance of law and order in India.

Mr. BOTTOMLEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman still proud to describe himself as one of Mr. Gandhi's intimate friends?

Sir H. CRAIK

Is it not the case that in the communication of the Government of India a severe censure was passed upon Mr. Gandhi, and that in the right hon. Gentleman's own letter to the Government of India no such phrase of condemnation occurs?

Mr. MONTAGU

I endorsed in my letter to the Government of India the general findings of the Government of India, and therefore I endorsed that passage to which I have referred, and I am prepared to support any steps the Government of India think necessary in the very difficult situation which now arises, but I will not dictate to the Government of India any steps. I prefer to leave it to them.

17. Mr. PALMER

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the present attitude of the Government of India towards Mr. Gandhi; and whether that gentleman is now permitted full liberty of action in the presentation of his views of India?

Mr. MONTAGU

I am not aware of any restrictions.