The greatest misfortune is that englishmen and their indian associates in the administration of the country do not know that they are engaged in the crime i have attempted to describe. i am satisfied that many englishmen and indian officials honestly believe that they are administering one of the best systems devised in the world and that india is making steady though slow progress. they do no know that a subtle but effective system of terrorism and an organized display of force on the one hand, and the deprivation of all powers of retaliation or self-defense on the other, have emasculated the people and induced in them the habit of simulation. this awful habit has added to the ignorance and the self-deception of the administrators. what is the main idea of this excerpt from “gandhi defends his beliefs”? the englishmen are compassionate and honest politicians. colonization has had a positive effect on the indian identity. those with power in india are intentionally terrorizing the people. those with power in india are unaware of the consequences of their actions.