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FRAGMENTS OF A PRISONER'S DIARY
has been appreciated even by critical people as the picturesque expression of a noblc sentiment. I do not propose to enter into any controversy. I only desire to suggest that one should approach the subject from the point of view of an actual problem and practical necessity. All progressive Indians, particularly those with nationalist inclinations (progressiveness and nationalisin are not inseparable), agree that Hindu-Muslim unity is a condition for the social and national advancement of the Indian people. But how many of them have seriously and critically tricd to ascertain the concreie obstacles to the inuch desired unity?
Apart from historical causes o inclirect mature, which are not spontancousiy opera ive as far as the large bulk of the population is concerned, the main bone of contention is the cow. It would be difficult to find any other single direct cause which contributes more to the communal tension. I should not be accused of extravagance if I said that the choice before the Fiindu today is between the venerable custom of worshipping thc Gomata and continued national subjugation. Looked at from this point of view, cow-worship does not appear to be a typically Indian expression of idealism ; it is found to be a stout link in the chain of national slavery.
All antiquated social institutions and religious prejudices have the same sinister significance ; and cow-worship is a superstition. Instead of misapply
