Page:Speeches And Writings MKGandhi.djvu/74

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48 M. K. GANDHI open Congress and take the verdict. That verdict was a foregone conclusion. The N ationalists complained (what an irony of things I) that the Khilafats had packed the house and manccuvred a majority. There is no doubt that each party strove for victory, Wlien the Congress met the next day, Sir Asutosh Choudhuri moved for adjournment of the question in the right legal way. Mr. V, P. Madhava Bao seconded it but the motion was lost by an overwhelm- ing majority. Mr. Gandhi then rose to move his resolution amidst thunderous applause. The Resolution ran as follows :—— This Congress is of opinion that there can be no content- ment in India without redress of the two aforementioned wrongs and that the only effectual means to vindicate national honour and to prevent a repetition of similar wrongs in future is the establishment of Swarajya. This Congress is further of opinion that there is no course left open for the people of India but to approve of and adopt the policy of progressive non-violent Non- Co·operation until the said wrongs are righted and Swarajya is established. And inasmuch as a beginning should be made by the classes who have hitherto moulded and represented public opinion and inasmuch as Government consolidates its power through titles and honours bestowed on the people, through schools controlled by it, its law courts and its legislative councils, and inasmuch· as it is desirable in the prosecution of the movement to take the minimum risk and to call for the least sacrifice compatible with the attainment of the desired object, this Congress earnestly advises: (a) surrender of titles and honorary ofiices and resignation from nominated seats in local bodies ; (b) refusal to attend Government levees, durbars, and other official and semi·oHicial functions held by Government ofhcials or in their houour; (c) gradual withdrawal of children from schools and colleges owned, aided or controlled by Government and in place of such schools and colleges establishment of national schools and colleges in the various provinces ; (d) gradual boycott of British courts by lawyers and liti- ganis and establishment of private arbitration courts by their aid for the settlement of private disputes; (e) refusal on the part of the military, clerical and labouring classes to offer themselves as recruits for service in. Mesopotamia ; (f) withdrawal by candidates of their candidature for elec- tion to the Reformed Councils and refusal on the part of the