Appendix

Summary

[First presented as a speech at the Bengal Provincial Conference of 1926, the text of this essay later appeared in Hindu Sangha, 19 Ashwin 1333. A translation is given below.]

The current Hindu–Muslim problem

A notion need not be correct simply because large numbers of people assert it with great conviction. No matter what the strength of their numbers, and despite the clamour of their combined voice, what the crowds proclaim is not necessarily true. The unceasing cacophony of voices shouting in unison forces people into believing what they hear. But this is propaganda. In the last great war, both sides accepted as true the falsehood that killing each other is man's duty merely because much ink has flowed and many voices have been raised to persuade them of this untruth. The few who challenged this view and attempted to speak the truth were subjected to endless ridicule and humiliation. But times have changed. Having undergone much pain and sorrow, people today have realised there was little truth in much that was said at that time.

So it was some years ago in this country, at the time when Mahatma Gandhi launched his non-violent Non-Cooperation movement. Many leaders loudly proclaimed that Hindu–Muslim unity had to be achieved, whatever the cost. They wanted it not only because it was good in itself, but because without it, to dream of Swaraj and Independence was mere foolishness.