Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
Before reading his written statement Mahatma Gandhi spoke a few words as introductory
remarks to the whole statement. He said: Before I read this statement, I would like to state that I
entirely endorse the learned Advocate-General's remarks in connection with my humble self. I
think that he was entirely fair to me in all the statements that he has made, because it is very true
and I have no desire whatsoever to conceal from this Court the fact that to preach disaffection
towards the existing system of Government has become almost a passion with me. And the
learned Advocate-General is also entirely in the right when he says that my preaching of
disaffection did not commence with my connection with "Young India" but that it commenced
much earlier and in the statement that I am about to read it will be my painful duty to admit
before this Court that it commenced much earlier than the period stated by the AdvocateGeneral. It is the most painful duty with me but I have to discharge that duty knowing the
responsibility that rested upon my shoulders. And I wish to endorse all the blame that the
Advocate-General has thrown on my shoulders in connection with the Bombay occurrence,
Madras occurrences, and the Chouri Choura occurrences thinking over these things deeply, and
sleeping over them night after night and examining my heart I have come to the conclusion that
it is impossible for me to dissociate myself from the diabolical crimes of Chouri Choura or the
mad outrages of Bombay. He is quite right when he says that as a man of responsibility, a man
having received a fair share of education, having had a fair share of experience of this world, I
should know them. I knew that I was playing with fire. I ran the risk and if I was set free I would
still do the same. I would be failing in my duty if I do not do so. I have felt it this morning that I
would have failed in my duty if I did not say all what I said here just now. I wanted to avoid
violence. Non-violence is the first article of my faith. It is the last article of my faith. But I had to
make my choice. I had either to submit to a systemmake my choice. I had either to submit to a system which I considered has done an irreparable
harm to my country or incur the risk of the mad fury of my people bursting forth when they
understood the truth from my lips. I know that my people have sometimes gone mad. I am
deeply sorry for it; and I am, therefore, here to submit not to a light penalty but to the highest
penalty. I do not ask for mercy. I do not plead any extenuating act. I am here, therefore, to invite
and submit to the highest penalty that can be inflicted upon me for what in law is a deliberate
crime and what appears to me to be the highest duty of a citizen. The only course open to you,
Mr. Judge, is, as I am just going to say in my statement, either to resign your post or inflict on
me the severest penalty if you believe that the system and law you are assisting to administer are
good for the people. I do not expect that kind of conversion. But by the time I have finished with
my statement you will, perhaps, have a glimpse of what is raging within my breast to run this
maddest risk which a sane man can run.