SPEAKING at the prayer meeting on Saturday night [May 4], Mr. Gandhi referred to the present political negotiations [with the Cabinet Mission] and said that he was playing the role of an adviser.

He said: “…I would also like to advise the Muslim League, if the Muslim League would care to take my advice. I have also to advise the Cabinet Mission. I know my task is a difficult one. The task of Congress is difficult. So is that of the Muslim League but the task of the Cabinet Mission is most difficult.

“There are some who say that the Cabinet Mission may cheat us but I think this is very wrong. I am convinced that the Cabinet Mission are sincere in their desire to part with power.”

Explaining the reason why he thought the task of the Cabinet Mission was most difficult, Mr. Gandhi said: “The British have to give up their Raj in India and withdraw. They have pledged to do so. All the same we have all to realise that still a handful of Englishmen are ruling over us. It is a matter of shame not only for us but also for the British… .”

Published in Dawn, May 5th, 2021