HC Deb 27 October 1920 vol 133 cc1711-2
4. Mr. ALLEN PARKINSON

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution passed by the Indian National Congress at Calcutta in September, calling upon the people of India to support the programme of non-co-operation drawn up by Mr. Gandhi, including abstention from all association with the new councils under the reform scheme; whether he will state the number of renunciations of titles, resignations of public offices, or from the public services, and withdrawals of candidature for election to the assembly and the councils which have taken place in consequence, and any other facts in connection with the political situation in India likely to be of interest to this House, especially in connection with the progress of the elections for the legislative councils?

Mr. FISHER

With the hon. Member's permission the latest information at the disposal of the India Office will be published in the OFFICIAL REPORT. My right hon. Friend has asked for a report to enable him to reply specifically to the hon. Member's questions, and hopes to be in a position next week to supplement the information now given.

The following is the information promised:—

The latest information which I have received on this matter is that the non-co-operators are now concentrating their atten- tion on inducing voters not to vote. One effect of the campaign has been to allow candidates with poor chances to retire with dignity. The leaders are not unanimous; some urge that the boycott of councils is a mistake, and the Moderate Press lay stress on the opportunity given by Nationalist withdrawals to Moderates to get in without trouble or expense. It is impossible to estimate the result of the boycott of councils with exactness, but so far this has been the most successful feature of the programme of non-co-operation.

In Madras resignations of honorary offices and council candidatures continue, but there have been no recent renunciations of titles. In Bombay report is made of intimidation to secure resignation of titles. Many seats are uncontested owing to withdrawal of Congress candidates, and for the two seats in the Indian Legislative Assembly for the Bombay general electorate there were only two nominations; but all Indian constituencies have nominated candidates, though in many there was a doubt up to the last moment. The Nationalists are planning a final campaign in Gujarat and the Deccan. In Bengal attention has been given to the fact that Pandit M. M. Malaviya of the United Provinces, though avowedly an opponent of Mr. Gandhi's programme, has nevertheless withdrawn his candidature; and he has had some imitators. But there are few fresh signs of practical non-co-operation, such as resignations from local bodies. In the United Provinces there are signs of election rivalry in many districts. In the Punjab reluctance to make personal sacrifices is limiting the effect of non-co-operation. In Assam there is no lack of candidates for councils; in only one constituency has there been no nomination. In the Central Provinces a committee has recently been appointed to secure the boycott of councils, and there have been two resignations of titles and three of honorary magistracies. I have not received any complete statement of the numbers of resignations or withdrawals. An earlier report mentioned that 48 persons had withdrawn candidature in the Bombay Presidency, of whom half had little chance of election. But I cannot say, even approximately, the total numbers, or give any indication of the numbers of resignations of titles up to date.