Decoding Gandhi Part 5: The Sex Maniac

Part 1: The Assassination

Part 2: The Beginning


Part 3: The Cult of Chakra

Part 4: The Practical Man

Part 5: The Sex Maniac

Gandhi blamed his lust for the tragedy. 

Gandhi got married at a very young age. While his wife was pregnant his father fell sick. Gandhi was unable to give attention to his wife as he spend a lot of time taking care of his father, messaging his feet. One night his uncle took over from him. Getting a rare opportunity he went straight to his room where his wife was. The young couple had sex that night. Later he came to know that his father has died, while they were having sex. The child born later also did not survive. The incident left behind a dark impression in his mind. Gandhi blamed his lust for the tragedy. Now he wanted to end that lust by controlling it. It was only in South Africa, when he was 38 years old, that he took the vow of Brahmacharya, i.e. to conduct consistent with Brahman or eternal conscience. It is a spiritual path that includes abstinence. 

'I am a Super-atheist' - Gandhi

Gandhi was a religious man more than a politician. India’s freedom was important to him, but more that that he cared about the welfare of people. He was a social reformer who was dragged into politics rather unwillingly. According to Gandhi, politics divorced from religion or social reform was of no use. His inclination towards religion began when he was in England. It was in his second year when Gandhi read Gita for the first time. He started reading other religious books as well like The Light of Asia and was impressed by Hindu philosophy. He realized that superstition was not part of Hinduism. In later, life he fought hard to abolish all forms of superstition from Hindu religion. His devotion became stronger in South Africa after experiencing Boer War and the Zulu uprisings. There he was also influenced by his Christian and Muslim friends who wanted him to get converted to their own religion. Because of his friends he became familiar with Bible and Koran. Tolstoy’s ‘Kingdom of God’ left a lasting impression in his mind. Gandhi considered atheism as denial of self. Logic cannot help one understand existence of god as god was beyond comprehension. But Gandhi was a man with a broad mind that was always evolving. He once believed that ‘God is Truth’, but it did not satisfy him. So he evolved to ‘Truth is God’. After many interactions with his atheist follower Gora he even went on to call himself a super-atheist. Gandhi   was also a practical man. While he himself was a theist, if atheism 'served to stop communal hatred and riot’ he would not mind the community turning towards atheism. 

‘most dangerous, semi-repressed sex maniac’

While living a simple spiritual life of non-violence and poverty came easy to him, he found abstinence very difficult.  Gandhi had an unusual sex life. C.P. Ramaswami Iyer once told Mountbatten that Gandhi was the ‘most dangerous, semi-repressed sex maniac’. His obsession with Brahmacharya developed from the childhood experience he had during his dad’s demise. In 1906, when he was still in South Africa, he took the vow of chastity. In India, Gandhi was involved in the much-controversial Brahmacharya experiments. In this weird experiment, he slept with the naked ladies, which included his personal doctor, Sushila Nayar, and his grandnieces  Manubai and Abhaben. Gandhi believed that 

‘one who never has any lustful intention, who by constant attendance upon God has become proof against conscious or unconscious emissions, who is capable of lying naked with naked women, however beautiful they may be, without being in any manner sexually excited’. 

Gandhi tried hard to attain that perfection. But his unwilling “nocturnal emissions” kept reminding him that that he was failing. Sometimes he even blamed his imperfection for the troubles India was going through because of the Hindu-Muslim riots. While in Bengal during the riots he told Manubai, 

‘We both may be killed by the Muslims, and must put our purity to the ultimate test, so that we know that we are offering the purest of sacrifices, and we should now both start sleeping naked.’ 

Gandhi  advised newlyweds to stay celibate for the sake of their souls. Even Jawaharlal Nehru thought that such views of Gandhi were ‘abnormal and unnatural’. Jawaharlal’s wife, Kamala, however, was very much influenced by Gandhi. In her later life, she abstained from sex, much to the dislike of Jawaharlal. 

Gandhi’s own men, including Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Nirmal Bose, disliked the Brahmacharya experiment and urged him to stop. But Gandhi was adamant and even frank about what he wanted. Gandhi’s reply to his critics was ‘If I don’t let Manu sleep with me, though I regard it as essential that she should, wouldn’t that be a sign of weakness in me?’ Manu’s diaries throw light on the kind of effect the experiments had on her. She was devoted to Gandhi and was not forced to stay in there. Manu wrote, ‘Bapu is a mother to me. He is initiating me to a higher human plane through the Brahmacharya experiments, part of his Mahayagna of character building. Any loose talk about the experiment is most condemnable.’  The relation she shared with Gandhi was like ‘Mirabai who lived only for her Shyamlo [Krishna].’ Manu was standing beside Gandhi when the latter was shot. She was shocked. She wrote with dark void filling her heart, 

‘As the pyre was lit and Bapu’s body was consigned to the flames, I wanted to sit there forever. It was all a bit difficult for me to accept; only a few days ago Bapu was with me, now I am completely lonely, completely helpless.’ 

Gandhi’s methods might have been weird, and may be even wrong, but he was not a ‘sex maniac’ as many try to project out of political malice or colonial prejudice. He did not lust for sex. He wanted to end that lust forever.

Part 6: The Miracle
Part 7: Decoding Gandhi

Also Check Out:  5 Questions of the Inquisitive Apes 

Written by Subhrashis Adhikari

"Engaging and entertaining, this page-turner is remarkable in its narration and will give you a new perspective on various aspects of life. Wellresearched and heartfelt, the encouraging tone throughout the book tries to motivate towards a happier life." - Times of India

Link:

https://www.amazon.in/Questions-Inquisitive-Ape-Subhrashis-Adhikari/dp/9387022552/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=subhrashis&qid=1570535712&sr=8-1

Read More

Decoding Gandhi Part 4: The Practical Man

Part 1: The Assassination

Part 2: The Beginning

Part 3: The Cult of Chakra

Part 4: The Practical Man

‘Go and work. Work solves your difficulties.’ 

During the non-cooperation movement in 1920 some students complained to Gandhi that khadi (Indian handwoven cloth) clothes were costlier than foreign clothes. Boycotting foreign goods are only going to burden the poor. Gandhi had a simple solution to that problem - ‘wear less clothes’. From that day onwards Gandhi renounced dhoti and kurta and wore just a langot. He became the ‘half-naked fakir’. Gandhi was a very practical man who believed in simplicity and led by example. Once an interviewer came to Gandhi and explained his problems in detail. After listening patiently he replied, ‘The fact you talked so long on the problem shows you have not understood the problem’. The interviewer was shocked and confused. So Gandhi clarified, ‘Go and work. Work solves your difficulties.’ Gandhi measured ideas and theories by testing them practically, and not by intellectual debates. That was the reason why he was so successful and it was easy for the mass to follow him. He had a simple vision - Poorna Swaraj (Total Self Governance). His mission was Bharat Chhodo (Quit India), which he wanted to achieve through non-violent means like satyagraha and non-cooperation.

Yet, it was Gandhi, who led thousands of Indians to march towards Dandi without a single act of violence. 

Non-violent methods were not simple. Saints and scholars like Buddha and Mahavira has tried to make the world understand it’s meaning. But, none of them could bring the concept of non-violence to the large number of illiterate mass of India like Gandhi did. It is difficult for people to sacrifice their ego and suffer physical pain at the hands of an oppressor, and still protest. It is easy for people to misunderstand non-violent methods. Gandhi ultimately paid the price of that ignorance. Yet, it was Gandhi, who led thousands of Indians to march towards Dandi without a single act of violence. One must note that Gandhi was practical even with non-violence. Once an activist named Gora wanted to dissect a frog to teach heartbeat to the nurses in Gandhi ashram. The nurses protested, as the method was against Gandhian principle. When the matter was reported to Gandhi he said, ‘Dissect the frog, if that is the only way to explain the heart-beat.’ Gandhi had witnessed Britain’s ammunition power first hand. He knew that India cannot match them in an arms combat. He chose non-violence only because he thought it would be more practical.

The British apathy frustrated INC and they were finally ready to go on the aggressive path. Tricolor Indian flag with the spinning wheel in middle was hoisted in Lahore, independence pledge was read out, and 26 January was declared as the Independence Day, or Poorna Swaraj. Gandhi called for the civil disobedience movement, which included non-payment of taxes. He also launched salt satyagraha with Dandi March on 12 March 1930. Many, including Jawaharlal, ridiculed the idea of protesting against British salt monopoly instead of bigger issues. But Gandhi knew well that bigger political concerns do not connect to the masses. He was more concerned with issues of the poor in order to bring them into the movement of civil disobedience. It was a huge success. Thousands of Indians were put behind bars, including Gandhi, for making illegal salt. Ghaffar Khan, with over 50,000 followers, joined the movement to fill in for those who were put behind the bars. After Ghaffar Khan’s arrest thousands  more gathered to protest. The British police were ordered to open fire on the peaceful protesters. Over 250 people were killed, but the protesters stood firmly in front of the bullets without any violence. Even the bullets failed this time.

After all key leaders were arrested, 76-year-old Abbas Tyabji and Gandhi’s wife, Kasturba, followed Dandi March with the Dharasana March; and after their arrest, Sarojini Naidu took the lead. Women, for the first time, became actively involved in freedom struggle of India. American journalist Webb Miller published the atrocities of British rule against nonviolent protests and helped turn the world opinion against the British rule in India. Time Magazine declared Gandhi as ‘The Man of the Year’ in 1930. Webb had immense respect for the naked fakir. He used to carry a cigarette case, and in one of his meetings with Gandhi, the latter promised to sign it only if he never smoked again. Webb Miller maintained his promise till he died. Even after the massive protests, the salt tax was not reduced. The movement, however, united the Indians and also managed to get the support of the world for India’s cause. Gandhi was released from prison and was called to a round table conference, the first time for an Indian as an equal. It was not much of a success though.

‘Gandhi should be allowed to fast to death’

After Britain’s failure to guarantee India complete independence post the World War, Gandhi launched Quit India Movement in August 1942. He gave the ultimatum: ‘Do or die’. It was a moral dilemma for many Indians who hated the Nazis for killing the innocent Jews and the Romani people. The Romani people were a group of Indian-origin migrants who left India over 1,000 years ago. At the same time, the Indians could not support the arrogant British, especially after the bitter experience of World War I. The British government was quick to suppress the movement, especially because Japan had already invaded Burma and were closing in on India. Over 100,000 Indians were imprisoned, including Gandhi and all top leaders of Congress. On 9 February 1943, old but still strong, Gandhi went for a 21-day fast in jail. The British Raj was unmoved, and Linlithdow wrote, ‘Gandhi should be allowed to fast to death’.  All preparations were made for his funeral, and an ambulance was left on standby.

‘Do you know how much it costs every day to keep you in poverty?’

Ref: http://d1u4oo4rb13yy8.cloudfront.net/juvpxlncpg-1454007728.jpg

Ref: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwihw8agk_TlAhVYzjgGHXZ0AB0QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FKASTURBA-Mohandas-Karamchand-Newspaper-February%2Fdp%2FB015D9KXEK&psig=AOvVaw3zBVuWn4RlD8IrZe_xgcLy&ust=1574179752913918


Gandhi was temporarily released to meet his ailing wife. She died on Gandhi’s lap. The was the only day people saw tears in Gandhi’s eyes. Despite the dire situation, he did not allow doctors to give her Western medicine. Instead, Gandhi and his followers were singing devotional songs near her deathbed. Long back, Gandhi said that it was difficult for someone to be his wife and only Kasturba could manage it. She did it till the end. How could he allow Western medicine to save the life of his wife? How could he betray the image that he created for himself? It was not easy being Gandhi, and it came at a price. Poetess Sarojini Naidu once jokingly questioned her friend Gandhi, ‘Do you know how much it costs every day to keep you in poverty?’. Gandhi had no reply because he knew. Heavy security followed Gandhi wherever he went. When he stayed with the Dalits, there were disguised congress men who stayed around him. Even Gandhi was not aware of them. Gandhi preferred to travel in third class compartment of the train. But, as Jinnah once said, his first class travels were cheaper than Gandhi’s. There were millions of people flocked up to catch a glimpse of the man even when we was travelling. The railways had to schedule special train and book the whole compartment for him. 

"Gandhi was more that a person, he was an idea that bound the nation."

Ref: https://www.freepressjournal.in/

Despite the expense, Gandhi did all he could to reduce the burden. Once Gandhi was travelling with Manuben. She booked two full compartments, one for Bapu, and other for all the luggage they were carrying as there would be lots of people who would come and visit Gandhi. When Gandhi came to know he was furious and said, ‘This is what is called blind (undiscerning) love. You do know that to save me trouble the Government offered me a special train if I did not want to go by 'plane. How many trains would be held up and what a lot it would cost to run a special train? How can I tolerate it? I am very cost-minded….Now the only way of repentance is to remove all the luggage into this compartment and to request the station-master to see me at the next station.’ Gandhi was more that a person, he was an idea that bound the nation. How else could the millions of Indians follow him?

Part 5: The Sex Maniac

Part 6: The Miracle

Part 7: Decoding Gandhi

Also Check Out:  5 Questions of the Inquisitive Apes 

Written by Subhrashis Adhikari

"Engaging and entertaining, this page-turner is remarkable in its narration and will give you a new perspective on various aspects of life. Wellresearched and heartfelt, the encouraging tone throughout the book tries to motivate towards a happier life." - Times of India

Link:

https://www.amazon.in/Questions-Inquisitive-Ape-Subhrashis-Adhikari/dp/9387022552/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=subhrashis&qid=1570535712&sr=8-1

Read More

Decoding Gandhi Part 3: The Cult of Chakra

Part 1: The Assassination

Part 2: The Beginning

Part 3: The Cult of Chakra

Gandhi returned to India in 2015. It was during the First World War when Gandhi became actively involved in Indian politics. The war had no relevance to India, but even then, she sent more than 1.1  million armies, whom the world forgot. Over 60,000 Indians died fighting someone else’s war.  Not just men, India also sent horses and other animals and over 100 million pounds to support the British. Quite contrary to British feeling that Indians would take the opportunity to revolt, majority of Indians remained loyal to the Crown with a hope that the British Raj would be kinder to them and grant them their demand for home rule once the war was over. The reluctance of the British government to give India self-rule after the war, along with the worsening of her economic condition, led to frustration among the youths. Young Indians took to the path of violence to get rid of the Raj. Few members of Indian Army were disgruntled with the British for treating them like slaves and secretly supplied arms to the extremist groups in India. The occasional incidents of violence by nationalists in Bengal, Punjab, and Maharashtra led to the enactment of Rowlatt’s Act in March 1919. It gave British government the authority to arrest and imprison any person suspected of terrorism without warrant or trial. Gandhi criticized the act and on 6 April he began his first satyagrahya on Indian soil against what he called a ‘black act’. He was arrested immediately while proceeding to Delhi.

Gandhi ji in 1918. Source Wiki

Immediately after Rowlatt’s Act was passed, Dr Satyapal and Dr Saifuddin Kitchlew were arrested in suspicion of spreading terrorism. Huge crowds gathered in front of police station, demanding their release. Panicked, police fired at the mob, killing several protesters. The angry mob went rampant, attacking British officers and killing three in the process. A European teacher was also attacked, saved only by few Indians who hid her under a table. Gandhi had to call off satyagrahya due to these incidents of violence. He called the Satyagraha as ‘premature’ and as a ‘Himalayan miscalculation’. Tagore wrote an open letter to Gandhi addressing him as ‘Mahatmaji’ for the first time. He wrote, 

‘You have come to your motherland in the time of her need … to lead her in the true path of conquest… Freedom can never come to a people through charity…We must win it before we can own in…I pray most fervently that nothing that tends to weaken our spiritual freedom may intrude into your marching line…’.

For the first time Indian freedom movement got a face that attracted Indians from all spectrum of life. Both Hindus and Muslims, from scholars like Tagore to tribals, higher and lower casts, everyone respected Gandhi. The tribal group Tana Bhagats became followers of Gandhi and took active part in his satyagrahya. The modern Tana Bhagats still believe in Gandhi’s philosophy of ahimsa and wear khadi clothes, dhoti, and Gandhi cap with a tricolour flag on it. Similarly, when Gandhi stayed at the Firangi Mahal, all Muslim families abstained from cooking meat during his stay out of respect. Hindus and Muslims joined hands and chanted ‘Hindu-Muslim Bhai Bhai’. The frail man who was once scarred to speak infont of public, turned out to be the nemesis for the Great British Empire.

Gandhi often said that he is not a politician, but a man of religion and a social reformer. Politics divorced from religion had no use for him. Gandhi was a staunch Hindu. While he challenged superstition and did have a modern outlook, he was not able to break away completely from the orthodoxy in which he grew up. Gandhi saw in industrialization a hidden evil that tied men into a vicious web of the materialistic world. The promise of science, technology, and prosperity were illusions that threatened not just our nation but also the souls of our men. Running blindly after Westernization made our youth lose their identity.

Wearing English clothes, learning in English-medium school, working in industries controlled by British masked as modern and liberal and which Indians were proud of were only created for the profit of our oppressor. British advertised the so-called ‘modern’ attitude because it bred industries, like the Manchester clothes. These industries made a huge profit by selling costly products in India while the ‘out of fashion’ indigenous industries suffered. In this culture, both consumer and worker became a slave to the machines controlled by the big industries in Britain. It was a culture that promoted suspicion, hatred, racism, and exploitation. Such industries only ended up making us poorer. Gandhi called for the renunciation of everything Western. He wanted complete non-cooperation with the government. Gandhi advocated following a simple lifestyle and using indigenous products. Chakara, or the spinning wheel, was the symbol of such simplicity. Gandhi started the chakara agitation, inviting all Indians to spin the wheel and make India self-sufficient. Rabindranath Tagore, one of Gandhi’s greatest admirers, criticized this extreme view.

Gandhi ji spinning Chakra in late 1920s. Source Wiki

Tagore started the reorganization of Indian villages long before Gandhi returned from Africa. He was educating the villagers and promoting agriculture, cotton, and village industries. Tagore himself wanted to get rid of the British Raj and was an adherent follower of nonviolence. When he found that the young patriotic minds were leaning towards violence, and especially after Khudiram and his friends killed innocent European women, he distanced himself from the movement. Some called him a betrayer. But that did not change his mind as he was against ‘blind nationalism’. According to Tagore, those who uphold the ideals of nationalism are the most conservative in their social practice. It becomes more problematic in a country like India where there is a physical repulsion between different castes. To Tagore, renunciation of everything Western, including science and technology, was stupid. Saying everything Western is bad is as ridiculous as saying everything Western is good. While to Gandhi poverty was a virtue, for Tagore, it was a problem that we needed to get rid of. Chakara, to Tagore, was not a symbol of progress but of poverty and everything that was wrong with India. According to the poet, 

“Western science should merge with eastern spirituality to create a complete society that is without the self-created borders”.

Nationality, to Tagore, was the root cause of our problems, not industries. Nationalism threatens humanity as it ultimately promotes exploitation of one country by another. Colonization is rooted in the idea of nationalism. The two world wars were enough proof to support Tagore’s thought. Hitler was a product of extreme nationalism. Non-cooperation movement was doing exactly that by creating hatred for everything Western. The poor were forced to buy khadi clothes that were more expensive. Students were told to boycott English-medium schools, thus hampering their education. Tagore was against the idea of youths blindly following a cult and losing their ability of reasoning. In the eyes of Tagore, ‘what India most needed was constructive work coming from within herself’. In poet’s words, he wanted an India ‘where the mind is without fear, head is held high, knowledge is free and world was not broken into fragments’.

Indian customs, like caste system, bind a person to a specific duty chosen by one’s ancestor. It helps in gaining labor but kills the free mind by binding one to repeat the same job over and over for ages without question. Such mind always required a ruler or a saint to tell them what to do, and hence, such minds can never be free. Tagore saw the same ignorance in the blind followers of Gandhi who ‘follow him like rats’ without questioning. Gandhi himself became a cult. Sarojini Naidu once said that it cost a lot to keep Gandhi in poverty. The protection he required to continue with his simple way of life was a costly affair. It was symbolic and necessary, as the freedom struggle required the mass of India. The chakara was part of that cult that Tagore did not like. Tagore firmly said, 

‘Lest I should be a party to the raising of the charkha to a higher place than is its due, thereby distracting attention from other more important factors in our task of all-round reconstruction.’

Gandhi ji and Tagore

Gandhi replied to Tagore, assuring him that there was nothing to fear. Gandhi had a lot of respect for Tagore and often asked him for advice. He used to call Tagore Gurudev. Gandhi explained that he was not trying to build a China Wall between East and West. He was protesting against forceful cooperation rather than voluntary cooperation based on mutual trust and respect. Gandhi disagreed with Rabindranath about the students’ education. According to him, 

“training by itself adds not an inch to one’s moral height and that character-building is independent of literary training. I [Gandhi] am firmly of opinion that the Government schools have unmanned us, rendered us helpless and Godless”. 

Non-cooperation with the bad is as important as cooperation with the good. Gandhi went on to say, “I am certain that it does not require ages for Hindus to discard the error of untouchability, for Hindus and Mussulmans to shed enmity and accept friendship as an eternal factor of national life, for all to adopt the charkha as the only universal means of attaining India’s economic salvation and finally for all to believe that India’s freedom lies only through non-violence, and no other method.” Tagore was still not convinced, so when Gandhi said, “Everyone must spin. Let Tagore spin like the others. Let him burn his foreign clothes; that is his duty today. God will take care of the morrow” Tagore was quick to reply, 

“The charka does not require anyone to think; one simply turns the wheel of the antiquated invention endlessly, using the minimum of judgment and stamina.” 

Tagore wondered why a person with skill to do better things would waste his talent in spinning a chakara. Tagore did not want India to become isolated from the rest of the world. Instead, he believed in fluid borders of countries where every country learned from the other and grew together. Both Mahatma and Gurudev were right in their own way. Despite the differences, both continued to have immense respect towards each other.

Part 4: The Practical Man

Part 5: The Sex Maniac

Part 6: The Miracle

Part 7: Decoding Gandhi

Also Check Out:  5 Questions of the Inquisitive Apes 

Written by Subhrashis Adhikari

"Engaging and entertaining, this page-turner is remarkable in its narration and will give you a new perspective on various aspects of life. Wellresearched and heartfelt, the encouraging tone throughout the book tries to motivate towards a happier life." - Times of India

Link:

https://www.amazon.in/Questions-Inquisitive-Ape-Subhrashis-Adhikari/dp/9387022552/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=subhrashis&qid=1570535712&sr=8-1

Read More

Decoding Gandhi Part 2: The Beginning

Gandhi was also very, very shy. He trembled when he had to speak in public, and often, someone else had to read his speech on his behalf.

Part 1: The Assassination


Part 2: The Beginning

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869 in the coastal town of Porbandar in Gujarat. His father Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi served as Diwan of Porbandar. His mother, Putlibai, was from Krishna bhakti-based Pranami family also from Porbandar. She was the third wife of Karamchand. Putlibai and Karamchand had four children, of whom Mohandas Gandhi was the last. Putlibai had strong influence on Gandhi, who was a restless kid who loved twisting dog’s ears. Gandhi came from a conservative family. He was a little boy of 18 when he dared to go against his people who threatened to outcaste him, by crossing kalapani and sailing to England with a dream of a bright future in law in 1888. His mother permitted him to go abroad only after he promised her three things: no meat, no alcohol, and, most importantly, no sex. Gandhi agreed. He was also inspired by the new vegetarian revolution in England. Not having alcohol also had its own advantage, especially when Gandhi was called to the bar at the end of his course. There were two bottles of wine for a group of four. Since there was scarcity of non-drinkers, he was always in demand. Everyone wanted him so that the rest can have better share. While he kept his first two promises easily, it was the third that seemed most difficult. There were times when he came very close to breaking the most important vow. First time it happened in Portsmouth and second much later while sailing to South Africa. But each time, he managed to stop himself before crossing the limit, even though it meant dirty thoughts and sleepless nights.

Gandhi in England
REF https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/ZBRp4G4izTCiSDzRvdUsCJ/Mahatma-Gandhi--Experiments-with-eating.html

Gandhi was ashamed of the fact that he was married at such a young age and even had a kid. His first child was born when he was just 15 years old, but survived only for few days. Like a coward, he hid the fact that he was married when he was in England. He finally confessed to an old lady who loved him like a son and was looking to engage him with a young British lady. Gandhi was also very, very shy. He trembled when he had to speak in public, and often, someone else had to read his speech on his behalf. It was in his second year when Gandhi read Gita for the first time. He started reading other religious books as well like The Light of Asia and was impressed by Hindu philosophy. He realized that superstition was not part of Hinduism. In later, life he fought hard to abolish all forms of superstition from Hindu religion. He also began to like English customs and dresses. Gandhi survived England and came back to India after three years, only to hear the news of his mother’s demise. It was kept a secret from him so that it did not affect his studies. 

The Indian episode wasn’t a happy one. His shyness prevented him from becoming a successful lawyer. His relation with his wife, Kasturba, was also not amicable. There were times when he made her life miserable. Later, he did realize his mistake and even had the guts to acknowledge it in his writings. It was from his wife that Gandhi learnt nonviolence. In 1893CE he got an offer from Dada Abdulla & Company and went to South Africa, where the third phase of his life began.

Gandhi was surprised to see the poor condition of Indians in Africa. Indians were often insulted by the Englishmen, who addressed them as Coolie or Sami. They were quite oblivious to the fact that Sami, which came from Swami, meant master. Gandhi was thus called the ‘Coolie barrister’. Not all Englishmen were rude to him. There was one gentleman who fought with the guards and allowed Gandhi to travel with him in first-class train compartment, generally reserved for the ‘whites’. He even ate dinner with many Europeans in Johnson’s family hotel. But it was the racism he faced in South Africa that prepared him for the battle in India. He had to fight to keep his turban on while inside the court. He was once thrown off the first-class compartment despite having legal tickets just because he was a ‘brown’. In the same journey, Gandhi was beaten up after he refused to sit on the floor of a coach for which he had tickets. He was also denied to stay in many hotels because of his skin colour. He was once pushed and kicked by a guard for walking on a footpath, barred for nonwhites, at night.

 Gandhi was a well-educated barrister. If he was treated like this, he wondered what would be the condition of the poorer Indians. Once his work in South Africa was finished, he was preparing to leave for India. In his farewell party, he chanced upon an article in the newspaper. It was about a bill before the House of Legislature, which, if passed, would disallow the Indians their right to elect the members of Natal Legislative Assembly. That changed his plans, and he decided to stay back and fight for justice. He started to study the condition of Indians in South Africa in detail. Gandhi put in effort to make Indians aware about cleanliness and educate them. He promoted unity of Indians despite the differences in language, religion, and caste. While Gandhi was worried about his countrymen, he did not care much about the native Africans whose conditions were even worse. Gandhi firmly believed that the Indians, having a richer civilization, were superior to the natives and deserved better treatment. He founded Natal Indian Congress in 1894, which fought for the rights of Indians in South Africa. Gandhi came to India two years later to get support from Indian political leaders. His popularity attracted many enemies, mostly British. He was attacked by mobs when he returned to South Africa but somehow managed to escape.

Gandhi in South Africa
REF https://qz.com/india/1471361/the-indian-diaspora-in-south-africa-is-about-so-much-more-than-gandhi/

‘how completely you have taken possession of my body. This is slavery with a vengeance’ - Gandhi

Gandhi, who was to become the symbol of non-violence, encouraged recruitment of Indians when the British were fighting Boer war in 1899 and again in 1906 against the Zulu kingdom. It is during this time that Gandhi met Pingali Venkayya, a geologist who would later design India’s flag. 

During the wars, Gandhi came to realize the power of British Army. He knew it would be futile for the weak countries to fight the British with arms. It was there that he got the idea of nonviolent resistance, or satyagrahya. He applied his new weapon of non-violence for the first time in South Africa. He was immediately put behind the bars. It was in the jail where he had interactions with the native Africans, helping him erase his prejudice against them. Experience was helping Gandhi evolve into a better man, preparing him for the Indian adventure. Gandhi met the rich German-born Jewish architect Hermann Kallenbach in 1904 and became very good friends. Kallenbach donated his farm to Gandhi, which became a shelter for the satyagrahis (the nonviolent protesters). It was named Tolstoy Farm. Gandhi admired Tolstoy’s policy of non-resistance, and was influenced by Tolstoy’s ‘A Letter to a Hindu’. He wrote a long letter to Tolstoy inviting his attention to the ongoings in Transvaal , South Africa. 

Gandhi is said to have written to his German friend the following lines, ‘how completely you have taken possession of my body. This is slavery with a vengeance’.  The lines have widely been misinterpreted and taken as a proof that Gandhi was gay. Being gay is not a crime, it is a personal choice. Even though none of Gandhi’s letters to his German friend had sexual connotations, his critics use it as a tool to defame him. Gandhi had more supporters than critics. Gandhi’s new method of satyagrahya found support back home and funds started to pour in. Amongst the list of doners were Sir Ratan Tata, Nizam of Hyderabad, INC, and the All India Muslim League (AIML), along with many others. Gandhi succeeded in uniting Indians of different class and religion and successfully tested his concept of non-violent protests. He finally returned to India in January 1915CE, beginning the fourth and final episode of his life.

Part 3: The Cult of Chakra

Part 4: The Practical Man

Part 5: The Sex Maniac

Part 6: The Miracle

Part 7: Decoding Gandhi

Also Check Out:  5 Questions of the Inquisitive Apes 

Written by Subhrashis Adhikari

"Engaging and entertaining, this page-turner is remarkable in its narration and will give you a new perspective on various aspects of life. Wellresearched and heartfelt, the encouraging tone throughout the book tries to motivate towards a happier life." - Times of India

Link:

https://www.amazon.in/Questions-Inquisitive-Ape-Subhrashis-Adhikari/dp/9387022552/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=subhrashis&qid=1570535712&sr=8-1

Read More

Decoding Gandhi Part 1: The Assassination

Part 1: The Assassination

‘I did not hate Gandhi, I revered him because we both venerated much in Hindu religion, Hindu history and Hindu culture, we both were against superstitious aspects and the wrongs in Hinduism. Therefore I bowed before Gandhi when I met him, then performed my moral duty and killed Gandhi.’ - Godse

The riots and violence had took its toll on Gandhi. It was not the freedom he wanted. After a long discussion with Sardar Patel about the situation he walked towards the raised lawn behind Birla House for the regular multi-faith prayer. The discussion carried on longer than usual and Gandhi was ten minutes late. The frail man walked supporting himself on the shoulders of his grandniece Manuben and Abhaben. Hundreds of people were waiting to catch a glimpse of Gandhi. As the two ladies helped Gandhi manoeuvre through the crown, someone yelled ‘Gandhiji, you are late’. Gandhi slowed down his pace, gave an annoyed look, and then walked ahead. At that moment another stout man in khaki dress pushed his way through the crowd and came right infront of Gandhi and bowed down. Manuben tried to shove him aside and shouted, ‘Bapu is already ten minutes late, why do you embarrass him?’. The man pushed her hard and then fired three (or four?) shots at Gandhi. The sound of the pistol deafened Manuben. She saw smoke all around. It took her some time to realise what just happened. Through the smoke she saw Gandhi fallen down in Abhaben’s lap. There was blood all around. Gandhi’s hands were folded as he uttered, ‘Hey Ra…ma! Hey Ra…!’

Mahatma Gandhi, standing, with his arms around two female relatives, in New Delhi, India, ca. 1947. REF: https://www.upi.com/Archives/1948/01/30/The-assassination-of-Mohandas-Gandhi/2538113714024/

'See me please in the nakedness of my working, and in my limitation, you will then know me.' - Gandhi

Godse was a young man born in a Brahmin family. He became an activist in RSS and Hindu Mahasabha. He considered Gandhi as anti-Hindu. Gandhi’s fast to release the final payment to Pakistan that was frozen after the Kashmir war was a proof that Gandhi was still very influential in Indian politics. Godse killed Gandhi to stop the laters influence that he considered was detrimental to India and Hindus. Godse said, ‘I did not hate Gandhi, I revered him because we both venerated much in Hindu religion, Hindu history and Hindu culture, we both were against superstitious aspects and the wrongs in Hinduism. Therefore I bowed before Gandhi when I met him, then performed my moral duty and killed Gandhi.’ Hundreds of people stood frozen unable to believe what they saw. An American diplomat, Herbert Reiner Jr., rushed forward and grasped Godse while the gardener Raghu Nayak pinned him down. Soon other started to pounce upon Godse and started to beat him up. The Royal Indian Armed Force men managed to arrest him and take him away before the crowd lynched him.

The trial of persons accused of participation and complicity in the assassination at the Special Court in Red Fort Delhi on 27 May 1948. Front row, left to right: Nathuram Godse, Narayan Apte, and Vishnu Ramkrishna Karkare. Seated behind, left to right: Digambar Badge, Shankar Kistaiya, Vinayak Savarkar, Gopal Godse, and Dattatraya Sadashiv Parachure. REF: Wiki

Gandhi was carried into the house by men. Due to the chaos after the attack, it took ten minutes to take Gandhi inside. By that time he had already lost a lot of blood. No doctor was available to treat him immediately. Manuben and others recited Gita beside Gandhi. Half an hour after the attack, on 30th January 1948, Gandhi breathed his last. The Statesman editorial wrote on 1 February 1948, 

“Numb with sudden tragedy, the people of India mourns their dead leader whom they lately hailed as Father of the Nation. They seem conscious as yet mainly of their loss and the love they bore him. Hearts overflow. But on many lips are questions. What does this calamity portend? He who in many past crises has been there to interpret, to counsel, to lead, is gone.” 

Godse went to court with his head held high without any sign of remorse. He proudly gave his last speech, “If devotion to one’s country amounts to a sin, I admit I have committed that sin. If it is meritorious, I humbly claim the merit thereof. I fully and confidently believe that if there be any other court of justice beyond the one founded by the mortals, my act will not be taken as unjust. If after the death there be no such place to reach or to go, there is nothing to be said. I have resorted to the action I did purely for the benefit of the humanity. I do say that my shots were fired at the person whose policy and action had brought rack and ruin and destruction to lakhs of Hindus.” He was the first person to be hanged in Independent India.

Tagore wrote a poem named 'the Child' in 1903, as if he knew. 

THE PILGRIMS are afraid.

The woman begins to cry, the men in an agony of wretchedness shout at them to stop.

Dogs break out barking and are cruelly whipped into silence broken by moans.

The night seems endless and men and women begin to wrangle as to who among them was to blame.

They shriek and shout and as they are ready to unsheathe their knives the darkness pales, the morning light overflows the mountain tops.

Suddenly they become still and gasp for breath as they gaze at the figure lying dead.

The women sob out loud and men hide their faces in their hands.

A few try to slink away unnoticed,

but their crime keeps them chained to their victim.

They ask each other in bewilderment,

'Who will show us the path?'

The old man from the East bends his head and says:

'The Victim.'

They sit still and silent.

Again speaks the old man,

'We refused him in doubt, we killed him in anger, now we shall accept him in love,

for in his death he lives in the life of us all, the great Victim.'

And they all stand up and mingle their voices and sing,

'Victory to the Victim.'

Both Gandhi and Godse died to achieve what they thought was right. For both them their mission was above their life. Gandhi cared more about individuals than a group like nation or religion. For Godse, the community was above individuals. Was Gandhi right, or was Godse right? The name Gandhi attracts a wide spectrum of emotions. Some regard Gandhi as a saint, a mahatma, who showed the whole world that battles can be won without violence. Einstein said, “Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this walked the earth in flesh and blood.” Yet Gandhi had his fair share of critics. He has been labeled as a 'bastard bania', ‘sexual weirdo’ who slept with his young grandniece, and there have been protests against building his statue in London. He has been called a racist and has been accused of being in a homosexual relationship with a German bodybuilder. Gandhi has been accused by many as too religious Hindu, and others as anti-Hindu. While Gandhi fought for the outcastes (dalits), Ambedkar, a dalit, was his most fierce critic. The Father of Nation was not a great father to his own son. Subash and Gandhi parted ways, and yet Subash had immense respect for him and called him ‘Father of Nation’. Tagore and Gandhi had their own differences, but it was Tagore who named him Mahatma. Gandhi’s image is varied and contradictory, and intricately linked to the image of India. He once said, 'See me please in the nakedness of my working, and in my limitation, you will then know me.' To understand India one needs to decode the enigma of Gandhi. That is what the next few posts are going to attempt.

Ref: https://scroll.in/article/696615/farewell-mahatma-an-alternative-history-of-gandhis-assassination


Part 2: The Beginning

Part 3: The Cult of Chakra

Part 4: The Practical Man

Part 5: The Sex Maniac

Part 6: The Miracle

Part 7: Decoding Gandhi

Also Check Out:  5 Questions of the Inquisitive Apes 

Written by Subhrashis Adhikari

"Engaging and entertaining, this page-turner is remarkable in its narration and will give you a new perspective on various aspects of life. Wellresearched and heartfelt, the encouraging tone throughout the book tries to motivate towards a happier life." - Times of India

Link:

https://www.amazon.in/Questions-Inquisitive-Ape-Subhrashis-Adhikari/dp/9387022552/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=subhrashis&qid=1570535712&sr=8-1

Read More