Swaraj and Swadeshi

Swadeshi is not a temporary programme. It is coeval with Swaraj.¹ The Khadi, hand-spun and hand-woven, must be religiously the covering for India. Boycott of foreign cloth is not a measure of punishment, it is a measure of purification and permanent relief. It cannot be exchanged for Swaraj. The latter is rather dependent upon the former. Pressure on England is there by means of Swadeshi. But if England became totally indifferent about Khadi movement, it would still have to continue. In so far as Lancashire depends upon the Indian market for its piece-goods trade, it will have to revise its programme. No consideration can possibly induce India to remain idle and pauper for the sake of Lancashire or any other interest. If all goes well and if England and India are to become and remain friends and partners at will, as I hope and wish they will, there are plenty of other things England can sell to India and the latter can profitably receive from the former. Cloth she may not receive from anyone, friend or foe. An India regenerate, well-to-do and free, will furnish a better market to England and to the world than an India groaning under the heels of English and other exploiters.

- Young India: Jan. 12, 1922

1 "Swadeshi applies to every man, woman and child in India. It is of a permanent nature. Swadeshi is not to be suspended on the attainment of Swaraj, which is impossible withoutSwadeshi."

- Young India: Nov. 10, 1921