174 A PILGRIMAGE FOR PEACE
or the other. It Is difficult for me to understand the ob-
jection to this yearning after Pathan autonomy unless
the object is to humiliate the Pathans and to tame them
into subjection.
v4 The more .serious charge is that Badshah Khan Is
playing into the hands of Afghanistan. I consider him
to be Incapable of any underhand dealing. He would not
allow the Frontier Province to be absorbed by Afghani-
stan."
Gandhiji went on to add? " As his friend, and because
I am his friend, I must admit one failing of his. He is-
highly suspicious especially of British professions and in-
tentions. I would urge on all to overlook this failing
which is by no means peculiar to him. Only it does not
sit well on a leader of his eminence. I contend that
though I have called It a failing, which it is in one way,
In another, It is to be regarded as a virtue In that he can-
not, even if he tries, conceal his thoughts. He is too
honest to hide them."
So the referendum was held.* The Khudai Khidmatgar
party and Its supporters took no part in it, and the Front-
ier Province was declared to be a part of Pakistan. But
for Badshah Khan the battle was not lost. It had just
begun. Hitherto they had to wage a struggle against the
British who were foreigners. Now their own brethren
were in power. Surely they could expect a fair deal from
them. They had not fought all these years merely to
exchange one yoke for another. Dr. Khan Saheb's Ministry
* As for the " climate " on the eve of the referendum in Hazara,
the following published statement of a Muslim League M.L.A. from
Hazara, dated 3rd July, 1946, will give an indication:
** I warn the Ministry that if any Minister tries to visit
Hazara District for Congress propaganda, he will be killed/' de-
clared Khan Jalaluddin, M.L.A., Hazara District, in the course
of a meeting held at Abbottabad to canvass support for Pakistan,
He further added that before returning to Hazara the Hindus and
Sikhs should clearly declare their full support to Pakistan and
send a copy of such a declaration to the League Office if they
want to live peacefully in the District."
— Hindustan Times, 3-7-'46