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GANDHI BEFORE GANDHI
The fourth mistake about the moral status of the Hindu people at large.
Another mistake that I must briefly notice is the prevalent misconception of the moral status of the Hindu people at large. I cannot go into this subject further than to affirm that the basis of morality, its laws and rules, differ in no essential respect from those that are known throughout the universal world. The rites of our religion, the relationships obtained through the whole social structure, both as to private and public conduct, answer for the highest moral character. Justice, truth, purity are words meaningful to every Hindu, sacred to his thought, not only as parts of his speech, but esse elements in his daily devotions.
the betrothed wife may be married to another. The protection to which I have referred, which, this early betrothal gives to the girl of India can be as well understood by you as if I were to go into a detailed statement. Among the perquisites and spoils of the invader of all times must be reckoned, not alone looking of perishable possessions of the conquered, but the possession and ravishment of unprotected women. Indeed, this measure of protection has not always proved adequate any more than your laws of prohibition of the liquor traffic has. A third reason may be given that womanhood is reached in our country at an earlier age than in your own.
"Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not covet, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not lie" are commandments with us as with you, and thou shalt practice virtue, good will, right conduct, not towards
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