Gandhiji's Politics X-Rayed
Section 1: The Political Background of Gandhi's Assassination
1. The events leading to the tragic assassination of Gandhiji on 30th January 1948 were entirely political, and it is essential to explain the political context in detail. The fact that Gandhiji honored the religious books of various faiths, including the Geeta, the Quran, and the Bible, did not provoke any ill will in me. I consider studying comparative religion a merit, and it is not objectionable.
2. The entire region of pre-partition India, bounded by the North Western Frontier in the North and Cape Comorin in the South, has always been my motherland. This vast region, home to people of various faiths, should allow equal freedom to follow their ideals. The Hindus, as the majority, have no homeland outside of India. Hindustan has been both the motherland and the holy land for Hindus, where much of the country's fame, glory, culture, knowledge, and science have been nurtured. The Muslims, though secondary in numbers, have also been present in India since the 10th century, gradually establishing their rule.
3. Before the British arrived, both Hindus and Muslims realized they couldn't expel each other. Despite the weakening of Muslim rule due to the rise of the Marathas, Rajputs, and Sikhs, the British proved more powerful than either group. The British adopted methods of administration that ensured security for both Hindus and Muslims. The Indian National Congress (INC) emerged to replace foreign rule with democratic governance. This ideal appealed to me, as it called for equal rights and democracy for all citizens.
4. In my speeches and writings, I have consistently advocated for the separation of religion from public affairs. A secular state with joint electorates was always my stance. However, the Muslims, under the influence of British “Divide and Rule” policies, sought to dominate Hindus. This demand for separate electorates started in 1906 with Lord Minto's introduction of the concept under the guise of minority protection. The Congress, while opposing this, eventually accepted it, paving the way for partition.
5. The demand for a divided India, initiated as a minor concession, culminated in the creation of Pakistan. The Congress, initially aiming for a united front against colonialism, inadvertently helped sow the seeds of division through these policies.
6. Though I opposed communal electorates, I reconciled with their temporary introduction. I insisted, however, that representation be strictly proportional to each community's population, a stance I maintained consistently.
7. The rise of the Muslim League, fueled by British support and the Congress's passive stance, escalated the communal divide. As Muslim fanaticism increased, the Congress failed to offer an effective countermeasure. This emboldened the Muslim League, whose demands for separatism grew each year, aided by the Congress's gradual concessions.
8. Since 1920, following the death of Lokmanya Tilak, Gandhiji's influence in the Congress grew. He adopted the ideals of truth and non-violence, which resonated widely. However, despite their nobility, these principles were impractical for real-world politics. Gandhiji's strict adherence to non-violence often hindered India's ability to resist external aggression. Historical examples, like Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, demonstrated that violence, when necessary, could be justified for self-defense.
9. Gandhiji's rejection of Hindu heroes like Shivaji Maharaj, Rana Pratap, and Guru Govind Singh—who fought to protect the country from invaders—was an act of self-conceit. His condemnation of these figures stood in stark contrast to their contributions in safeguarding Hinduism and the Indian motherland.
10. Under Gandhiji's leadership, India saw more temple desecrations, forced conversions, and atrocities against women, while one-third of the country was lost to the creation of Pakistan. In this context, it is clear that Gandhiji's efforts to unify Hindus and Muslims led to the fragmentation of India, not its unity.
Gandhiji's Political Journey and Ideology
11. Gandhiji's political actions from 1915 to 1947, as I see it, are divided into three distinct phases:
- 1915-1939/40: Gandhiji's return to India and his efforts to unite the country against British imperialism.
- 1939/40 - 3rd June 1947: The period when the Congress, under Gandhiji's leadership, surrendered to Jinnah and accepted the creation of Pakistan.
- Post-Partition to Gandhiji's death: The final phase, marked by Gandhiji's fast and the controversial payment of Rs. 55 crores to Pakistan, ultimately culminating in his assassination.
12. Gandhiji's return to India in 1914 was marked by high expectations. His success in leading the Indian struggle for justice in South Africa had made him a revered leader. However, his leadership in India faced different challenges. Unlike in South Africa, where the Indian community was united, India was already deeply divided along religious lines, exacerbated by British policies.
13. Gandhiji's leadership, though initially successful, faced significant obstacles due to India's complex religious dynamics. His ideals of non-violence and Hindu-Muslim unity, though admirable in theory, were difficult to implement in a divided nation. Despite his efforts, India's communal tensions only grew, and the Muslim League's demand for Pakistan gained momentum.
14. From 1920 to 1921, Gandhiji became involved in the Khilafat Movement, making concessions to the Muslims. While he believed he could bring both communities together, the rise of the Muslim League and the Moplah Rebellion exposed the limitations of his approach. The Khilafat Movement failed, and the resulting violence left Hindus suffering.
15. Over the years, Gandhiji's concessions to the Muslims became more extreme. He promised them "a blank cheque" and made unending compromises, hoping to win their support for India's freedom struggle. However, the Muslims' separatist ambitions only grew, culminating in the demand for Pakistan in 1940.
16. The British saw the creation of Pakistan as a strategic move to weaken Indian unity. Their support for the Muslim League allowed them to maintain control over India. By the time of India's partition in 1947, the country was divided along religious lines, leading to widespread violence and the displacement of millions.
17. Despite these setbacks, Gandhiji's pursuit of Hindu-Muslim unity remained steadfast. However, his policies were seen as a failure by many, as they led to the disintegration of India rather than the unity he envisioned.
18. After the partition, the Congress compromised with the British and the Muslim League. While the Congress claimed to stand for a secular India, its actions suggested otherwise. The violence of partition and the subsequent creation of Pakistan left India deeply divided, with lasting consequences.
19. The “Quit India” movement of 1942 failed, and India was forced into negotiations with the British. The Congress, in its desperate bid to be in power, compromised with the British, ultimately resulting in the partition of India. The Congress's inability to resist the violence of Jinnah and his followers paved the way for the creation of Pakistan and the loss of one-third of India's territory.
20. In the aftermath of partition, Gandhiji's ideals of Hindu-Muslim unity seemed increasingly irrelevant. The Congress's failure to address the violence and atrocities committed against Hindus during partition led to a deep sense of betrayal among many.
Conclusion: The Agony of Partition and Gandhiji's Assassination
21. The agony of India's partition and Gandhiji's assassination must be understood in the context of the British policy of “Divide and Rule.” Gandhiji's pursuit of Hindu-Muslim unity ultimately resulted in the division of India and the tragic loss of lives during partition. As Gandhiji continued to appease the Muslim League and make concessions, the country was torn apart. The legacy of this policy of appeasement continues to shape India's political landscape today.