ing the Allies to take a step which would involve certain defeat… Abrupt withdrawals of the Allied troops might result in Japan’s occupation of India and China’s sure fall. I had not the remotest idea of any such catastrophe resulting from my action. Therefore, I feel that if, in spite of the acceptance of my proposal [to liberate India] it is deemed necessary by the Allies to remain in India to prevent Japanese occupation, they should do so…”
The ordinary politician, when he seeks office or the adoption of his policy, will promise you peace and prosperity, lower taxes, higher profits—in fact, the moon and the stars, if you support him. Gandhi’s life goal is freedom for his country. He ought, therefore, to assure England and the world that if this end-all of his career is granted every thing will be well in India. Instead he says: “I am not sure that there will be order after the British leave. There could be chaos. I have said: ‘Let the British go in an orderly fashion and leave India to God!’ You may not like such unrealistic language. Then call it anarchy. That is the worst that can happen. But there may not be anarchy. We will try to prevent it.” Such a statement, however, enables Gandhi’s critics to say, “Gandhi predicts chaos if the British leave.”
Gandhi asserts that when the British transfer power to Indians the Indian army is to be dis-
