Page:The Pilgrims' March.djvu/121

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LALA LAJPAT RAI
101

Under the circumstances it is impossible for me to keep away from the meeting. It will be sheer cowardice. Please pardon me if my action does not meet with your approval. I am quite happy and cheerful and will not whine for favours. I am going to insist on being treated as an ordinary prisoner even if they are so magnanimous as to offer me some privilege which I don’t believe they will. Rest assured I will not bring disgrace on your movement. Pardon me if I have ever seemed to be critical and distrustful. In all my actions only one motive has been uppermost in my thoughts, viz. that of loyalty to my country and my people. If I have erred, I have erred in good faith. Even in my criticisms of my moderate friends I have had no other motive. I believed in what I said and I believe in it still. But if I was wrong they can pardon a mistaken comrade. I believe we are on the right path and that only non-violent non-co-operation can help us in achieving our goal.

The Sikh non-co-operators have set a noble example. Of course all of them are not Congressmen and the motive force behind their present behaviour is religion. But that makes no difference so long as the spirit of suffering for a principle is there. The Sikh community