Gandhi Jayanti: The Real Side of Mahatma Gandhi and the Controversial Legacy

Gandhi Jayanti, celebrated every year on October 2, marks the birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, fondly known as Mahatma Gandhi. Revered globally as a pioneer of non-violence and a key figure in India’s struggle for independence, Gandhi's legacy continues to influence leaders, movements, and ideologies across the world. However, while he is often venerated as the "Father of the Nation" in India, Gandhi’s life and philosophies have also attracted criticism, controversy, and even hatred from certain sections of society. This blog attempts to shed light on the real side of Gandhi—his triumphs, controversies, and the people who suffered or benefitted from his actions.

Gandhi’s Impact on India’s Independence Movement: A Statistical Perspective

Before diving into the controversies surrounding Gandhi, it is essential to recognize his immense contribution to India's freedom struggle. According to historians, between 1915 and 1947, Gandhi led or influenced over 15 mass movements, including the Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922), the Salt March (1930), and the Quit India Movement (1942). Each of these movements mobilized millions of Indians, particularly from the rural heartlands, igniting a pan-Indian identity against British colonialism.

The Non-Cooperation Movement alone attracted over 2 million participants, and according to official British records, the number of people arrested in relation to the movement crossed 30,000.

The Salt March, a protest against the British monopoly on salt, saw Gandhi walk 240 miles from Sabarmati to Dandi, inspiring over 100,000 people to join his cause. It is estimated that over 80,000 Indians were jailed as a direct result of the movement.

However, while Gandhi's strategies of civil disobedience and non-violence were lauded, his approach also had consequences that many Indians found devastating, leading to polarizing opinions on his legacy.

The Criticism: Was Gandhi’s Approach Too Passive?

One of the most frequent criticisms of Gandhi comes from those who believe that his commitment to non-violence, or Ahimsa, delayed India's independence. Critics argue that his tactics were too passive, allowing the British to exploit India's resources and prolong their rule. Notable freedom fighters like Subhas Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh took more aggressive stances, advocating for violent means to overthrow the British regime.

Bose, who founded the Indian National Army (INA), once remarked that Gandhi’s non-violence philosophy "would be incapable of defeating a ruthless colonial power." Historians estimate that over 60,000 soldiers were part of the INA at its peak, many of whom criticized Gandhi for not supporting their cause.

Bhagat Singh, who was executed by the British in 1931, became a symbol of revolutionary fervor. His supporters argue that Gandhi did not do enough to save Singh, a sentiment that led to widespread anti-Gandhi sentiment in certain regions of India. According to reports, over 1 million Indians took part in protests demanding Singh's release, but Gandhi remained committed to his non-violence stance.

This perceived "softness" in the face of British aggression has led many to accuse Gandhi of being an obstructionist figure in the broader revolutionary movement.

Controversies Surrounding Gandhi: Race, Caste, and Gender

Another significant critique of Gandhi is his attitude toward race, caste, and gender, particularly during his time in South Africa and India.

Gandhi and Racism Allegations

Gandhi’s stint in South Africa between 1893 and 1915 is often cited as the beginning of his transformation into a political leader. However, his early writings from this period reveal attitudes that modern readers might find troubling. In his earlier years, Gandhi expressed racist sentiments, particularly toward Black South Africans. In 1893, Gandhi referred to them as "kaffirs" and argued that Indians were "infinitely superior" to Black people.

1926 population estimates show that there were approximately 150,000 Indians living in South Africa at the time, many of whom supported Gandhi's efforts to challenge discrimination against Indians. However, Gandhi’s lack of solidarity with the African population during this time has been a point of contention.

In recent years, protests against Gandhi’s legacy have erupted in South Africa. In 2015, students at the University of Ghana successfully campaigned for the removal of Gandhi's statue from their campus, citing his "racist writings."

Gandhi’s Views on Caste

Gandhi’s stance on caste has also been controversial. While he vocally opposed untouchability and worked towards improving the conditions of Dalits (whom he referred to as Harijans or "children of God"), he stopped short of advocating for the complete abolition of the caste system.

In the 1930s, Gandhi’s disagreements with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of India’s constitution and a leading Dalit leader, became publicly apparent. Ambedkar accused Gandhi of being a staunch defender of the varna system (the four-tiered caste hierarchy) and suggested that Gandhi's efforts were merely superficial reforms rather than substantive change. Ambedkar later famously stated that over 60 million Dalits continued to suffer due to Gandhi's inability to tackle the root cause of caste discrimination.

In 1932, Gandhi went on a hunger strike to oppose Ambedkar’s demand for separate electorates for Dalits, which Ambedkar argued would provide political power to marginalized groups. Gandhi's hunger strike forced Ambedkar to compromise, resulting in the Poona Pact, which many Dalit activists believe undermined their political strength. This event remains one of the most contentious moments in Gandhi’s political career.

Gandhi’s Views on Women

Gandhi's personal views on women, particularly regarding their role in society, have been the subject of considerable debate. Though Gandhi advocated for women’s participation in the freedom struggle, he held deeply conservative views on their roles.

Gandhi believed that women’s primary role was that of a caregiver and homemaker. In a 1926 speech, he stated that women should embrace "self-sacrifice" and "purity," advocating for their role as passive nurturers rather than equals in the public sphere. According to Census data from the 1940s, the literacy rate for Indian women was a dismal 8.86%, a reflection of the broader gender inequalities that continued under his leadership.

Moreover, Gandhi’s experiments with brahmacharya (celibacy), in which he had young women, including his grandniece, sleep beside him to test his commitment to celibacy, have been heavily criticized. These actions, which Gandhi insisted were spiritual exercises, have raised ethical questions about his treatment of women.

Economic Suffering Due to Gandhi’s Movements

While Gandhi’s non-violent resistance movements were instrumental in raising international awareness about India’s plight, they often had devastating economic consequences for the country.

During the Quit India Movement in 1942, which Gandhi launched as a final push for British withdrawal, the colonial government responded with mass arrests and brutal crackdowns. Over 100,000 people were imprisoned, and the economic disruption led to severe food shortages in parts of India. According to British colonial records, food prices in some regions increased by 40-50%, resulting in widespread hunger and suffering.

The Bengal Famine of 1943, which claimed the lives of an estimated 2-3 million people, occurred during this period of upheaval. While the famine was primarily caused by British wartime policies and hoarding, some historians argue that the disruption caused by the Quit India Movement exacerbated the crisis, leading to more suffering among India’s poor.

Why Many Hate Gandhi: The Polarizing Legacy

Given these controversies, it’s no surprise that Gandhi remains a polarizing figure in India and around the world. His critics argue that his strategies, particularly his obsession with non-violence, cost India dearly in terms of human suffering, economic hardship, and political power. Others point to his personal flaws, including his attitudes toward race, caste, and gender, as evidence that his legacy should be questioned rather than revered.

Several political groups, particularly right-wing nationalists in India, have openly expressed their disdain for Gandhi. Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Gandhi on January 30, 1948, was a member of the right-wing Hindu Mahasabha, which believed that Gandhi had betrayed Hindus by appeasing Muslims during the partition of India. Godse's trial revealed that he held Gandhi responsible for the partition and the ensuing violence, in which 1-2 million people were killed and over 10 million were displaced.

Conclusion: A Complex Legacy

Mahatma Gandhi remains one of the most influential and controversial figures in history. His commitment to non-violence, social reform, and India's independence movement transformed the nation and inspired global civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. However, his flaws—his early racist views, his conservative stance on caste and gender, and his insistence on non-violence at all costs—cannot be ignored. For millions, Gandhi is a symbol of peace and moral courage, while for others, he represents the failures of India’s struggle for true equality and justice.