Speech by Vallabhbhai Patel; leader of a delegation on behalf of the Indian National Congress to the United Kingdom to solve the unresolved issue of the Nehru Commission and the demand for Indian Dominion status by the end of 1929.
”When walking the streets here in London, one is consumed by the election. It is in the newspapers, it is on the lips of the people and none of this is strange, and neither should it be. But when one begins to talk about the election topics, especially with the British people whom I meet here on the streets, it seems as if most cares stop at the coast. It doesn’t really come off as strange either, the high unemployment, along with the questionable economic stability over the past decade here in Britain, the focus of the election on the economy can’t truly be blamed.
But despite the rather understandable focus of the British public on their financial state and security. It seems that it fall flat for the British public at large to have notice the change taking place in a large part of the British Empire, in the part which has often been described as the jewel in the Crown, that of India. This election, which is taking place right now in Britain, is far more important than what may scratch the surface, for it is the government which will be elected in a few months that will decide if the British Empire will manage to stand the test of time, and the waves of change. As such, for this election, it is also the British public at large which now must decide the course of the Empire, and most importantly, if Britain has a future in India.
Now the last line which I just spoke may come as a shock to many here in Britain, especially those which have not been following affairs closely in India. But the fact of the matter is that India is no longer the same that it was in the glory days of Empress Victoria, its people are no longer the same, its politics are no longer the same, and the British Empire is certainly not the same.
Over the last few decades, the desire for self-rule in India has risen at a great pace. It has swept across the continent and can no longer be ignored by not just the British authorities, but the British Public at large. India has faced hardships following the Great War, similar to events which have happened here in Britain, and it has awoken the public, a public across the continent who now wish to rule themselves.
It is not my hope that I come across today, as if Britain has done nothing for India, or has not improved upon several parts of India. Britain has done several wonders in India, such as the construction of railroads and the expansion of education under British rule. But Britain has also brought hardship, such as the brutality shown against Lala Lajpat Rai, a Muslim in India, just to name one example whom died under police brutality late last year.
I bring him up because he was a symbol of resistance to British Rule, he was especially important within the Muslim community in the Raj. I bring him up because upon his beating he is noted to have said: ‘I declare that the blows struck at me today will be the last nails in the coffin of British rule in India’. Now, I personally don’t believe this, and neither, I believe, does the majority of India. His beating alone is not enough, but sadly it has not been his beating alone.
I feel it is far more important to remember the words of Gandhi, who nearly a decade said, and forgive me for paraphrasing: ‘The question of whether India would remain within the Empire or leave it completely would be answered by the behavior and response of the British.’
Now as I have already pointed out earlier, it is no longer just the fringe groups which desire self-rule, but the vast majority if not the whole of India, which seeks a change of status for India. India itself is as we speak being split down two dividing paths, which of those who seek a complete end to British rule and influence, and those of us who seek to attain the status of Dominion alongside many other Dominions in the Empire. Previous colonies such as Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
I feel it especially important to remember Gandhi’s words, now that India is beginning to face this divide over the question of the British Empire, which the future of India within the British Empire relies solely on the response which the British Empire gives onto India. These weeks in India, protests, riots and fights are already erupting between the two various groups. Personally I am a supporter of the Dominion cause, just like a greater number of Indians, and I believe that India is best served as a member of the Empire. I also believe that Britain itself is best served by the elevation of India as a dominion.
I say this because I doubt anyone here can deny the importance of India to Britain, both in terms of trade, culture and resources. Indians have served in this Empire, prospered and suffered alongside with Britain, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The Indian army invaded Mesopotamia during the Great War, Indian soldiers fought at the Somme, Tsingtao and Gallipoli, to name a few, alongside the rest of the Empire. A responsibility which we would wish with all our hearts to continue, but to do so we must also be recognized as equals, and receive the same status as Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.
And it is my sincerest hope that we may all soon stand alongside as equals, which can only happen when India is granted the status it deserves in the Empire, and most importantly that India is granted its right to rule over itself, rather than from London.
Once more returning to the words of Gandhi, the time has come from that response from Britain, India can no longer wait. Last year, the Indian Congress requested a response from the British government, to give dominion status of that alongside of Canada, Australia and so on, no later than the 31st of December this year, 1929, less than a year from this speech. So far India has yet to be granted it, and every day that there is delay, the movement for the complete end to British Rule grows. While the cause I deeply support, that of Dominion status, weakens.
I hope that my speech and presence here, as a representative of the Indian National Congress, allows the people of Britain to realize the seriousness and the urgency which all of India desires this resolution and the grant of dominion status.
I hope that the Prime Minister, both the present and whoever may take up the mantle following the election, if it shall still be Mr. Baldwin or someone else, takes our request with the utmost seriousness, as well as my visit here and that of my delegation, with all the gravity which it deserves. It is my deepest hope that we may reach a resolution which grants India that which it so sorely desires, so that we may stand together in unity and harmony as an Empire for centuries more to come. For should the hope of all of India be granted, cheers will be sung high as India, along with the rest of the Empire, enters a new and prosperous era of cooperation and friendship.
Thank you for your time.”