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places should be closed. Employees who are required to work even on
Sundays may only suspend work after obtaining previous leave.
I do not hesitate to recommend these two suggestions for
adoption by public servants. For though it is unquestionably the right
thing for them not to take part in political discussions and gatherings,
in my opinion they have an undoubted right to express upon vital
matters their feelings in the very limited manner herein suggested.
(iii) Public meetings should be held on that day in all parts of
India, not excluding villages, at which resolutions praying for the
withdrawal of the two measures should be passed.
If my advice is deemed worthy of acceptance, the responsibility
will lie, in the first instance, on the various Satyagraha Associations for
undertaking the necessary work of organization, but all other
associations will, I hope, join hands in making this demonstration a
success.
The Hindu, 24-3-1919; also a photostat: S. N. 6469
M. K. GANDHI
326. LETTER TO ANNIE BESANT
2, CATHEDRAL STREET,
[MADRAS,]
March 23, 1919
DEAR MRS. BESANT,
There appeared in yesterday’s New India a letter sighed by 1 .
The correspondent has given some information about the proceedings
of a private meeting of satyagrahis. May I say, for future guidance,
that the proceedings of the Sabha or its Com-mittee are to be regarded
as private unless when publication is offici-ally authorised? I am sure
that you will respect the Committee’s wish. 2
From a photostat: S.N. 6464
1 This space is blank in the source.
2 Mrs. Besant replied : “Certainly, I took the letter as ordinary news from one
of your people.”
344 THE COLLECTED WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI