Earlier we had released the first part of Gandhiji's video. We had covered 2 points and now I will tell you a few more points. 

3. Gandhi’s ‘Muslim sympathising” and partition of India

Gandhiji has always said that India is a secular country. However he has made some very contradictory statements. Gandhiji always said that Hindus, Muslims and all religions must be united as we are one nation. He said people can follow any religion but should be united. This was good. However in 1947, after the partition of India, Muslims went to Pakistan and the Hindu's there came to India. You are all aware about Hindus and Muslims killing each other on the trains. I am sure you know about the countless tragedies that occurred during that time. Gandhiji also said that 'If Muslims are out there slicing through Hindus, the Hindus should not retaliate as it is pointless.' He also had a strong saying - If someone slaps you on one side of your face, turn the other one to him. That's why he asked Hindu quietly bear the atrocities of the Muslims. When people asked him to say the same to Muslim, he remained quiet. He never told Muslims to quietly bear the atrocities of Hindus. This advice was only meant for Hindus. I fail to understand why he did this. 

Earlier the Mughals captured Indian territory and murdered many might Hindu kings. Gandhiji hated these Hindu rulers. He especially hated Shivaji Maharaj. Mahatma Gandhi hated the mighty Maratha ruler. He banned the book named ShivBhaavani which correctly depicted Islam’s cruelty in India as he didn't want people to read it. He manipulated people saying the book is false and banned it. This was done to appease the Muslim community as Gandhiji wanted their support. If people read the book, then they would realize all the barbarity of the Mughals. If Gandhiji continued supporting them, then the Hindus would shun him. So he banned the book to garner support from both sides. This was a complete political tactic. Shocking! Though Gandhiji said all religions must stay united but in reality he was a hypocrite. This is because when his son wanted to marry a Muslim woman, he flat out refused. People failed to understand why he publicly promoted Muslim-Hindu unity but refused his son. 

After securing independence from the British, India could have remained whole and avoided partition. Muhammad Ali Jinnah had insisted on becoming the PM after India got independence. That time there were no elections and decisions were taken unanimously. When Jinnah said this, Gandhiji supported him. If Gandhiji had agreed to this India would never have had to endure partition. So what was the reason for partition? Jinnah was challenged by Jawaharlal Nehru who wanted to be the PM of India. Caught between them, Gandhiji let Nehru become the PM and partitioned India. After the partition, India had to give Pakistan Rs 55 crore. It was a huge sum at that time. When Indians protested against the move, Gandhiji said it was crucial for Pakistan's development. When siblings fight and demand a share in the property, it is always even without any partiality. Gandhiji said that Pakistan should also be given what it is due. Instead of giving Rs 55 crore, Gandhiji could have easily convinced Pakistan to remain a part of India. But in a political move he supported the formation of Pakistan. This clearly showed where his allegiance lay. Gandhi went on a hunger strike, demanding Rs. 55 crores to be given to Pakistan. He said he would die of malnutrition. This is why the money was finally given to Pakistan and the country was partitioned. All because of this one thing.

4. Racist  & fake Non - violence 

Mahatma Gandhi always fought against racism. Sadly he himself has made many racist remarks. As a youngster, Mahatma Gandhi went to South Africa to study law and work there. One day Gandhiji was furious. Just like the British had colonized India, they had colonized South Africa as well. Gandhiji furiously said that, 'We were marched off to a prison intended for Kaffirs. Do you think we are their equals?' Indians have a lighter complexion compared to the black Africans and we are not on the same level as them.' He used a derogatory term called 'Kafir' which is used to describe the dark skinned South Africans. He said, 'We could understand not being classed with whites but an  Indian can not be dragged down to the position of a Kaffir.' Gandhiji further said, 'These South Africans' sole ambition is to collect cattle to buy a wife.' He called them strange and uncultured people, who pass their life in indolence and nakedness. Gandhiji said that Indians can never be equated with them. Though later Gandhiji realized his mistake, South Africans still hold a grudge. At the Ghana University, in Ghana, people protested to remove Gandhiji's statue from the campus. They protested because he used the derogatory word 'Kafir' and called them discriminatory names. This is why many people in Africa do not like him. How hypocritical of him to make such a statement.

Also do you know Adolf Hitler from Germany? He intended to wipe out the Jewish race and killed many of them. It is a very tragic story. That time it was obvious that the Jewish would not tolerate this quietly. Fighting back was no-brainer right? Gandhiji advised the Jews to adopt nonviolence toward the Nazis and quietly accept death. Was this right? How strange. The Mahatma wrote a letter to Hitler starting with the words “My friend”. He called Hitler a friend! Hitler was a pathetic man who massacred millions but Gandhiji is calling him a friend! So bizarre! How could he not see his oppression & torture towards the jews! I truly do not understand why Gandhi would do this. During World War 2, the British were on the verge of losing to Germany. That time Gandhiji wrote a letter to the British saying, ' 'Just let it be. Hitler is a good man.' He said Hitler is a good man. Huh? What did he mean by this? had Gandhiji lost his mind? The leader also said that,  "This manslaughter must be stopped if you persist, it will only result in greater bloodshed. Let Hitler take possession of your beautiful island and all its possessions. Happily give him everything. Hitler will never be able to capture your soul and mind. So let him take what he wants." This was Gandhiji's advice. People were baffled by his strange statements
 

5. Expensive poverty 

Gandhiji was always simply dressed in a white shawl, slippers and a walking cane. He lived a humble life, without any luxuries or arrogance. However if you peeked behind the curtain, it was a different story. Gandhiji never traveled in first class train coaches. He is famous for his preference for a third-class ticket for his journey. He always led a simple, poor life. Do you know that while traveling in the 3rd class compartment, he never went alone. He booked and paid for the entire compartment.

This is because he always traveled with a large group of followers and he paid for their tickets. Whoa! He paid for all the passengers traveling with him! So was he really a poor man? I guess not. Jinnah, a well-to-do man, always traveled first class. He once said that my first class ticket may seem exorbitant, but is nothing compared to what Gandhiji spends. So was he really rich or was he poor?

Gandhiji had taken a vow to never drink cow's milk. Gandhi was distressed to see milk being commercialized and cows being abused. Calves were separated from the mother and the cows were forcefully milked. He could not see the cows in distress and vowed to never drink milk. However, his health was not good and his wife Kasturba and his doctors urged him to break his vow. Gandhi then agreed to having goat’s milk as it was cheaper. This goat's milk was not cheap. It was more expensive! Every day the goat was bathed with soap. It costs Rs 10 per day to care for the goat. You may think this is a nominal amount, but it was a huge sum back then. Imagine paying Rs 1,000 per day now! It felt the same back then. But Gandhi agreed to pay the amount. The goat was bathed, fed expensive food and then milked. This was done everyday. He seemed to be a wealthy man and not at all poor! Sorojini Naidu once jokingly had said, “To keep Mahatma Gandhi poor we have to destroy treasures” What do you think this means? Well it means that to be a poor man Gandhiji paid Rs 10 per day for goat milk. When he traveled internationally to South Africa & the UK, since goat milk was not available there. He made dignitaries in these countries hunt for goat's milk and paid a huge sum for it. This is why Sorojini Naidu jokingly made the statement but many people felt she said the truth as he did spend a lot. He was poor only on print. Reality he had spent a lot of money. I don't think such a man can be called poor.

So this was the last part. People respect him and remember him as he helped secure freedom. Yes we must salute the man. However there is also a lot to learn from his dark side. This means humans are not perfect. But we should still remember him as the greatest freedom fighter.

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• Gandhi Janynti
• 2nd Oct

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