Page:The Pilgrims' March.djvu/92

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70
THE PILGRIMS MARCH

Dr. Suresh Banerjee, they have not done so in the case of the Ali Brothers, Lala Lajpatrai, Moulana Mohiuddin or Pandit Motilal Nehru nor would I quarrel with handcuffing if they imposed it on all. It is a gaol regulation to handcuff a prisoner. I should certainly have loved to travel to Allahabad to see Pandit Motilal Nehru and his son being handcuffed together and made to walk to their destination. I would have loved to watch the radiant smiles on their faces in the consciousness of their handcuffs hastening the advent of Swaraj. But the Government did not provide any such treat. What I do not expect, what I do not want for the sake of man’s dignity, is a repetition of petty and degrading insults of the Punjab or the unthinkable inhumanities of the Moplah death wagon. But non-co-operators have stipulated for no such immunity. We have conceived the possibility of the worst happening and under a full sense of our responsibility pledged ourselves to remain non-violent. Swaraj is within our grasp; let it not step away from us by self forgetfulness.

With leaders in gaols, there should be hartals wherever the Prince goes. No Meetings are necessary to organise them. The people have sufficient training for spontaneous action. Let