Quote by Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi, An Autob

I used to issue leaflets asking people to enlist as recruits. One of the arguments I had used was distasteful to the Commissioner: 'Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the Act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest. If we want the Arms Act to be repealed, if we want to learn the use of arms, here is a golden opportunity. If the middle classes render voluntary help to Government in the hour of its trial, distrust will disappear, and the ban on possessing arms will be withdrawn.' The Commissioner referred to this and said that he appreciated my presence in the conference in spite of the differences between us. And I had to justify my standpoint as courteously as I could.N.B.: This quote refers to the British disarmament of the Indian Army. Gandhi never advocated the individual right to bear arms.

Summary

This quote highlights a historical incident where Mahatma Gandhi encountered opposition due to a distasteful argument he used to enlist recruits. Gandhi believed that the British Act depriving a whole nation of arms was the gravest misdeed of British rule in India. He saw an opportunity for the middle classes to help the government and create trust by repealing the ban on possessing arms. The Commissioner appreciated Gandhi's presence in a conference despite their differences, and Gandhi had to justify his standpoint with courtesy. It is important to note that this quote does not imply Gandhi advocated for individual right to bear arms.