For these reasons I have held this opinion for the last so many years that our national language should be called ‘Hindustani’. I need not say that Gandhiji also held the same view upto the end. That was why he had started “Hindustani Pracharni Sabha”, and had severed his connections from the Hindi Sahitya Sammelan. Now, when in connection with this Constitution this question came up before the Congress Party, naturally I emphasised the same view and I had hoped that at least the older congressmen would not forsake their previous stand and would continue to adhere to the Gandhian principles; but I need not hide my own feelings from you when I say that I was greatly disappointed. I realized that with few exceptions all have retraced their steps.
