Although Gandhi is popularly considered a 'symbol of the people and the poor', not everyone sees him this way. Gandhiji remained surrounded by controversies throughout his life i.e., for 78 years. Today, we explore three of the most controversial aspects of Gandhi's life, delving deeper into Gandhi's life.
1. Hanging of Bhagat Singh, Shivram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar
Bhagat Singh–Rajguru–Sukhdev, as all three were popularly known among the public, were crucified in Lahore Jail on 23 March 1931. What happened before and after the nationwide movement? Voices were being raised against the Father of the Nation that he did not try to save the three or that he failed to do so.
It cannot be denied that the ideologies of Bhagat Singh and Gandhi were completely different. Whereas Bhagat Singh was in line with a radical, socialist approach, even if Gandhi's Congressist approach indirectly leaned towards capitalism. Second, Gandhi preached nonviolence, while Singh and his comrades did not deny the need for a more “non-peaceful” style of protest.
Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were arrested in April 1929—almost two years before they were sentenced to death. So, why is Gandhi often blamed for the execution of these martyrs? Reference to the popular Gandhi-Irwin Pact of March 1931 is often mentioned. In eight meetings lasting 24 hours between the two men, important issues such as lifting the van on the Congress and returning the confiscated properties of the Satyagraha's were discussed. The release of political prisoners was certainly one of the major demands made by Gandhi – it only included prisoners from the Civil Disobedience Movement – resulting in the release of three revolutionaries.
Yes, Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter to the Viceroy of India, in which it was written that these hangings should be stopped. But the hanging was dated 23 March 1931 – the same day Bhagat Singh was hanged. Gandhi also expressed his anger about the hanging many times and later, people believed that he –
- The beginning of a nationwide movement to protest against hanging, or
- It was extremely cruel with the demand for mercy petition for all three,
So, in all probability he would not have lost his life.
2. Gandhi's 'Muslim sympathy' and the partition of India
Partition separated the country from itself – the country was divided into two parts on the basis of religion. For several years anarchy and mass killings shook the country. So, who was to blame for the partition? Many people blame Jinnah, and many others blame Gandhi for this. More clearly, people blame Gandhi not for stopping partition but for creating it. His impact on the nation at that time remains public knowledge these days. It is because of his widespread popularity that many people believe that he could have prevented the horrors of Partition if he had wanted to.
In 1946, he also said that “before India is divided, my body will have to be cut into two pieces”. In the last few years, according to many reports of partition, Gandhi was kept away from the final round of talks, so he was a mere spectator in these talks.
Secondly, Gandhi has also had to face criticism for being unfairly inclined towards Muslims. When Gandhi suggested Jinnah's name for the first Prime Minister of independent India, the fire of allegations intensified. But, according to Gandhi, he tried his best to prevent the partition of the country. He never shied away from public disapproval of the partition.
Gandhi's alleged bias towards Muslims and Pakistan was one of the major reasons for his assassination by Godse in 1948. After partition, Gandhi went on a hunger strike, demanding Rs 55 crore to be given to Pakistan. Many people including Godse criticized this move. However, the amount mentioned after separation was part of the terms of division of assets and liabilities between the two countries.
3. Gandhi's Personal Life
Bapu, with his dressing style and his teachings of non-violence, won the hearts of many people. He was a person whose popularity remained immature, and he is still considered an eminent political and national leader. However, about many aspects of his life, some people know very little and some not at all. And on such rare occasions they come with a series of controversies.
Gandhi spent a significant part of his life supporting and practicing celibacy. However, their opinions and attitudes towards sexuality were not as clear cut as black or white. It is said that after the death of his wife Kasturba Gandhi in 1944, Gandhi started sleeping with naked women who were much younger than him. However, no further advances were made before this. One of Gandhi's motives behind doing this included that he wanted to stop these women from sexual activity. The original plan was to test his self-control. His two nieces, Abha and Manu, who belonged to the above list of women, however, never harbored any ill will in his mind.
Therefore, the matter of Gandhi's personal life regarding self-confidence remains too complicated to be believed. Certainly, his habits were peculiar, and many people resented them – the first among whom was Prime Minister Nehru.
Gandhi-a life
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi is a name that rules the hearts of people and if not in the hearts, then Gandhi's name definitely resides in the minds of countless Indians. These have remained popular among Indians for many decades. People's love for Bapu cannot be denied. People love and respect Bapu because they believe in Bapu. But who was Gandhi really?
Who was the man whose portrait we see every day – on our currency, on the walls of our government offices? Well, he was many things to many people. And as we already know, nothing is really as black or white as the truth, right?
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