54 M, K. GANDHI THE ntrmcs OF Dmsraucrron Another feature of Mr. Gandhi’s activity which for a a time threw a baleful light over the movement was the cult of destruction, as typefied in the burning of foreign cloth. Rabirdranath Tagore and C. F. Andrews and several others, horrified at the wanton waste, pointed out from time to time the evil effects of this burning business. Mr. Gandhi, mercilessly logical as ever, would heed no such counsel but continued literally to feed the flames, With that cultivated sense of distinction between the doer and the thing done, which is ever present in men such as he, there might be some efficacy in this form of purification and selfdenial, But many weie the critics who held that his bon/ire mania was the surest way to rouse all the evil passions of the multitude and as surely lead to hatred and civil strife. Tm: Bomnar Rxors Whatever the root cause of the breaking out of violence and hooliganism, the landing of the Prince of \`Vales in Bombay on the 17th November was made the occasion of a ghastly tragedy. Mr. Gandhi had since the announce- ment of the Royal visit appealed to his countrymen to refrain from participating in the functions got up in honour of the Prince. Non—Oo operators all over the country had organised what are known as ‘hartals,’ closing of shops and suspending all work, and boycot- ting the Prince. In Bombay such activities resulted in a great riot in which all parties suffered owing to the hooliganism of the mischievous elements in the mob who violated Mr. Gandhfsinjunctions to be non-violent and brought about a terrible riot, Mr. Gandhi was then in Bombay and after witnessing the scene of the tragedy, wrote some of the most stirring letters which, coupled with the exertions of men of all parties, restored peace in the city. As a penance for this ghastly tragedy he pledged himself to fast till complete peace was restored. Strangely enough, the situation was well in hand in a couple of days and on the fourth day in breaking the fast in the
