Mahatma Gandhi, the father of our nation, who is globally revered as the symbol of non-violence and peace. Indian people celebrates his Jayanti to honor the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, who was born on October 2, 1869.
Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and standing up for truth (Satyagraha) was key in India’s fight for independence and went on to inspire civil rights movements across the world.
In this day we should know the 9 dark and dirty secrets about Gandhi that was hidden for decades. These facts about Gandhi run into spotlight with historical proof that was hard for common citizen to belief till now.
1. Racist Views of Mahatma Gandhi
Year: 1893–1915
During his early years in South Africa, from 1893 to 1915, Gandhi had views that many people today would see him as racist.
He used the term “kaffirs” to refer to Black Africans, which is a hurtful word, and he believed that Indians were better than Black people.
Gandhi mainly focused on improving the rights of Indian immigrants, but he often placed them above Black Africans.
2. Celibacy Experiments
Year: Late 1930s
So it was in the late 1930s, When Gandhi conducted the controversial celibacy experiments often known as “brahmacharya” which involved sleeping naked with young women, including his grandniece, to test his self-control.
Sounds pathetic, isn’t it? Furthermore, Gandhi believed that mastering celibacy was important for personal growth and spiritual purity.
3. Support for the British
Year: (1899–1906)
During the Zulu Rebellion (1906) and the Boer War (1899–1902) in South Africa, Gandhi surprisingly supported the British Empire.
Substantially, he organized the Indian ambulance corps to assist British troops in both of these conflicts.
Furthermore, this support towards the Britishers during these wars appears to conflict with his later anti-colonial stance.
4. Views on the Caste System of India
Year: 1920s–1930s
Mahatma Gandhi was known for speaking out against the unfair and untouchables happened for lowest cast people(so called varna).
However, he still supported the overall caste system, which classifies people into different social groups based on their roles in society.
Gandhi believed that having a caste system helped keep society organized, with each group having its own responsibilities.
While he fought against the mistreatment of people in lower castes, especially untouchables, his acceptance of the caste system itself led to criticism.
Many leaders from the Dalit community, particularly Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, strongly disagreed with Gandhi.
5. Failure to Prevent India from the Partition
Year: 1940
In the late era of 1940s, Gandhi’s efforts to maintain unity between Muslims and Hindus failed to stop the eventual partition of India.
Although, he opposed the idea of partition, insisting that Hindus and Muslims could coexist, the rising communal tensions led to the creation of India and Pakistan in the year 1947.
In addition to this, his failure to prevent the partition and the ensuing communal violence, which claimed the lives of millions, remains a controversial chapter in his legacy.
6. Role in Bhagat Singh’s Execution
Year: 1930
In the year 1931, Bhagat Singh who is well known as one of India’s most celebrated freedom fighters, was executed by the Britishers.
However, Gandhi did not legally represent Bhagat Singh but he did make multiple appeals to Lord Irwin (the British Viceroy), in order to commute Bhagat Singh’s death sentence.
There are some critics who argue that Gandhi could have done more to save Bhagat Singh, while there are few others who acknowledge that Gandhi made sincere efforts but was unsuccessful in altering the British resolve.
7. Support for Muslims Extremist
Year: 1920
In the 1920s, Mahatma Gandhi supported the Khilafat Movement, which aimed to protect the Ottoman Caliphate after World War I.
By aligning with Muslim leaders, he sought to unite Hindus and Muslims in the fight for India’s independence. However, many Hindu leaders criticized Gandhi, feeling he focused too much on Muslim issues and neglected Hindu interests.
During communal riots, he promoted messages
8. View on Industrialization
Year: 1940s
His economic vision for India centered on self-sufficient villages and the rejection of large-scale industrialization.
It was during the year 1940; he encouraged the use of khadi (handspun cloth) and promoted small-scale cottage industries.
In fact, his opposition to modern industrialization was seen as impractical by many of his contemporaries, who believed that industrial growth was crucial for India’s development post-independence.
While Gandhi’s vision is really prioritized for sustainability, the critics do argue that it lacked the necessary foresight for India’s economic needs.
9. Relationship with His Sons
Year: 1930s–1940s
His relationship with his sons, particularly with Harilal Gandhi, was fraught with tension. Harilal struggled with alcoholism, financial instability, and a strained emotional relationship with his father, Mahatma Gandhi.
Later, in the year 1936, Harilal converted to Islam and later renounced it, which added further strain to the father-son relationship.
Furthermore, Harilal blamed his father’s rigid discipline and neglect his personal struggles, and their troubled relationship is a lesser-known but poignant aspect of Gandhi’s personal life.
Final Words
Mahatma Gandhi was a great leader, but like everyone, he had flaws. These hidden dark facts show the different sides of his life.
While he was part of India’s independence, looking at his actions and beliefs gives a clearer picture of who he really was.
Share your thoughts in the comment section below and let us know what you think of him.
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