62 NON-CO-OPERATION
would frame the Swaraj constitution. This shall be given effect to without any change by the British Parliament.
If the Congress programme is so cut and dried, where is the necessity for a conference ? asks the critic. I hold that there is and there always will be.
The method of execution of the demands has to be considered. The Government may have a reasonable and a convincing answer on the claims. The Congress- men have fixed their minimum, but the fixing of the minimum means no more than confidence in the justice of one's cause. It further means that there is no room for bargaining. There can, therefore, be no appeal to one's weakness or incapacity. The appeal can only be addressed to reason. If the Viceroy summons the confer- ence it means either that he recognises the justice of the claims or hopes to satisfy the Congressmen, among others, of the injustice thereof. He must be confident of the justice of his proposals for a rejection or reduc- tion of the claim. That is my meaning of a meeting of equals who eliminate the idea of force, and instantly shift their ground as they appreciate the injustice of their position. I assure His Excellency the Viceroy and everybody concerned that the Congressmen or Non-Co- operators are as reasonable beings as may be found on earth or in India. They have every incentive to be so for theirs is the duty of suffering as a result of rejection of any just offer.
1 have heard it urged that on the Khilafat the Imperial Government is powerless. I should like to be convinced of this. In that case and if the Imperial Government make common cause with the Mussulmans of India, I should be quite satisfied and take the chance
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