distrust the leaders.  It is not a clear lead to the nation.  So I say to you, my countrymen, not to fall into this trap.  We shall sell our country by adopting the method of seeking election and then not taking the oath of allegiance.  We may find it difficult, and I frankly confess to you that I have not that trust in so many Indians making that declaration and standing by it.  To-day I suggest to those who honestly hold the view—­viz. that we should seek election and then refuse to take the oath of allegiance—­I suggest to them that they will fall into a trap which they are preparing for themselves and for the nation.  That is my view.  I hold that if we want to give the nation the clearest possible lead, and if we want not to play with this great nation we must make it clear to this nation that we cannot take any favours, no matter how great they may be so long as those favours are accompanied by an injustice a double wrong, done to India not yet redressed.  The first indispensable thing before we can receive any favours from them is that they should redress this double wrong.  There is a Greek proverb which used to say “Beware of the Greek but especially beware of them when they bring gifts to you.”  To-day from those ministers who are bent upon perpetuating the wrong to Islam and to the Punjab, I say we cannot accept gifts but we should be doubly careful lest we may not fall into the trap that they may have devised.  I therefore suggest that we must not coquet with the council and must not have anything whatsoever to do with them.  I am told that if we, who represent the national sentiment do not seek election, the Moderates who do not represent that sentiment will.  I do not agree.  I do not know what the Moderates represent and I do not know what the Nationalists represent.  I know that there are good sheep and black sheep amongst the Moderates.  I know that there are good sheep and black sheep amongst the Nationalists.  I know that many Moderates hold honestly the view that it is a sin to resort to non-co-operation.  I respectfully agree to differ from them.  I do say to them also that they will fall into a trap which they will have devised if they seek election.  But that does not affect my situation.  If I feel in my heart of hearts that I ought not to go to the councils I ought at least to abide by this decision and it does not matter if ninety-nine other countrymen seek election.  That is the only way in which public work can be done, and public opinion can be built.  That is the only way in which reforms can be achieved and religion can be conserved.  If it is a question of religious honour, whether I am one or among many I must stand upon my doctrine.  Even if I should die in the attempt, it is worth dying for, than that I should live and deny my own doctrine.  I suggest that it will be wrong on the part of any one to seek election to these Councils.  If once we feel that we cannot co-operate with this Government, we have to commence from the top.  We are the natural leaders of the people and we have acquired the right and the power to go to the nation and speak to it with the voice of non-co-operation.  I therefore do suggest that it is inconsistent with non-co-operation to seek election to the Councils on any terms whatsoever.