मेरा आजीवन कारावास / माझी जन्मठेप (स्वातंत्र्यवीर सावरकर - काले पानी का ऐतिहासिक संस्मरण)

the administration of the Andamans. The regulations ought to be so framed as would
contribute to this self-sufficient development. This was the purpose of my mission in the
Silver Jail, my self-imposed task during the ten years I had been there. And I had
definitely formulated it, in my oral evidence as also in my written statement, before the
Jail Commission. And I had strongly emphasised the need for action accordingly.
But the Government Resolution on the subject had altogether brushed aside the
constructive part of my evidence and statement, though it had fully accepted the
damaging criticism I had made upon the existing method and scope of administering the
Andamans. As such I had proposed the closing down of the colony for prisoner! from
India and Burma. It had proposed to transfer the prisoners in the Andamans to the
respective jails in India This was a way of doing things which was no remedy a all for the
existing evil, and did not provide in any was for future good of the colony, as well as for
the good of the present prisoners in it. I had, therefore, decided to open a campaign
against it in the Andamans and in India.
Unfortunately this time it was clear to me that those who were against me
formerly would be out to support me while those who had all along gone with me would
be against me. For, the British officers who had settled in the Andamans thought like me
that the colony should not be broken up; at least, they felt that thousands of prisoners who
had settled there should not be dislodged from that place. The reason might be different
with them. The British officers, from the overseers right up to the Chief Commissioner,
did not want to lose their jobs, did not desire to be unsettled in life; they felt that their
removal from the Andamans meant that they could no longer rule as they had ruled in the
Andamans with unquestioned authority over thousands of prisoners, and, perhaps, would
have to be content with positions much inferior to those that they held in these islands.
Hence, these high officials were trying to bring pressure upon the authorities in India,
with the consent of the prisoners concerned, not to put that resolution into effect. I also
began working in my own way that the present prison-settlers in the Andamans should
not be sent out of the colony into India. In the same cause, yet for different reasons,
myself and the officers went on well together.
But this strange alliance created suspicion in the minds of those prisoners who
had so long worked hand in glove with me. It must be admitted that our agitation and
activities against the Government had created in them a frame of mind that regarded
everything coming from the official side with great suspicion and as having some sinister
motive behind it. It is ever true of ignorant persons that such a prejudice in them makes
them incapable of judging an action as good or bad on its own merits. They hesitate to
accept even a good thing from those against whom they are prejudiced, and they ever
suspect something sinister behind it. Common people take their politics as a young and
untried wrestler faces a practised man in it. The latter holds forth his hand and the novice
would not catch it, over suspecting some dodge behind the proferred hand. He knows not
how to meet a move with a counter-move to checkmate it. The ordinary man in politics
and similar affairs misses much and perhaps loses a great deal by such over-suspicion.