tist politics (wherein the element of violence is an unavoidable component of political discourse) and constitute a claim for an entirely new political philosophy.
Gandhi analyzes imperialism, independence, and social justice in terms of an ethos of nonviolence. There is no ambiguity in his 1942 statement that "British rule in India in any shape or form must end. Hitherto the rulers have said, 'We would gladly retire if we knew to whom we should hand over the reins.' My answer now is, 'Leave India to God. If that is too much, then leave her to anarchy.' At the time of this statement, Gandhi was countering charges that British withdrawal would invite Japanese invasion by arguing that a free India would tend to support the Allies, but that continued British presence in India encouraged Indians to welcome the Japanese as liberators. He continues:
If we are strong the British become powerless. I am therefore trying to wean the people from their hatred by asking them to develop the strength of mind to invite the British to withdraw. . . . Orderly British withdraw
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