ABOUT STUDENTS 271
will be able to convert to their view the heads of education.
If they do so, they will never be entangled in party politics.
In the revised scheme, constructive and creative programme
will naturally have its due place. Indirectly, their action will
keep the politics of the country free of the spirit of exploitation.
Now for the first question: What I said in the matter of
students' education at the time of the country's battle for free-
dom is evidently forgotten. I did not invite the students to
devote themselves to politics whilst they were in schools and
colleges. I had inculcated non-violent non-co-operation. I had
suggested that they should empty these educational institutions-
and throw themselves in the battle for freedom. I had encou-
raged national universities and national schools and colleges.
Unfortunately, the trap of the education given in our schools
and colleges was too strong for the students. Only a handful
were able to disengage themselves from it. Thus, it is not pro-
per to say that I drew the students to the politics of the country.
Moreover, when after 20 years of exile in South Africa, I re-
turned to India in 1915, the students, while they were engaged
in their studies, had already been drawn to the political life.
Probably, there was no other way. Our foreign rulers had so-
devised the whole life of the country that nobody could engage
in politics suitable for the delivery of the country from bon-
dage. The foreign rulers had so devised and controlled the
education of the youth of the country that they remained under
their control and millions were kept in comparative darkness.
This was the way in which foreign control was rendered as per-
manent as possible. Therefore, apart from the colleges and
schools controlled by foreign rulers, patriotic workers were not
to be found. To what extent this foreign education was mis-
used need not be considered here.
Harijan, 7-9-1947