Hello.
At a press conference on May 24, 1942, Gandhi was asked about the
potential use of passive resistance by India in response to being
invaded (presumably by the Axis powers since World War II was going on
at the time).
"Q. There is a report about some new scheme that you want to propound
in one of your Harijan articles about non-violent non-cooperation if
any invader came to India. Could you give us an idea?
A. It is wrong. I have no plan in mind. If I had, I should give it to
you. But I think nothing more need be added when I have said that
there should be unadulterated non-violent non-cooperation, and if the
whole of India responded and unanimously offered it, I should show
that, without shedding a single drop of blood, Japanese arms ? or any
combination of arms ? can be sterilized. That involves the
determination of India not to give quarter on any point whatsoever and
to be ready to risk loss of several million lives. But I would
consider that cost very cheap and victory won at that cost glorious.
That India may not be ready to pay that price may be true. I hope it
is not true, but some such price must be paid by any country that
wants to retain its independence. After all, the sacrifice made by the
Russians and the Chinese is enormous, and they are ready to risk all.
The same could be said of the other countries also, whether aggressors
or defenders. The cost is enormous. Therefore, in the non-violent
technique I am asking India to risk no more than other countries are
risking and which India would have to risk even if she offered armed
resistance."
source: Fitchburg State College History Sourcebook: Gandhi
VII. Some Questions and Answers
http://sourcebook.fsc.edu/history/gandhi.html
The same quotation appears on this page:
MKGandhi.org: "Duty In The Midst Of World Wars"
http://www.mkgandhi.org/sfgbook/twelve.htm
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