When Gandhi’s pacifism failed him | ASSASSINS

The Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi

Key Concepts:

• Satyagraha: A philosophy and practice of nonviolent resistance developed by Gandhi, emphasizing truth and personal sacrifice.
• British Raj: The period of British rule over the Indian subcontinent.
• Partition of India: The division of British India into India and Pakistan in 1947, accompanied by widespread violence and displacement.
• RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh): A Hindu nationalist organization that played a role in shaping the ideology of Nathuram Godse.
• Ashram: A religious community retreat, used by Gandhi as a base for his Satyagraha movement.
• Noakhali Riots: Communal violence in Bengal in 1946, impacting Gandhi’s views on partition and prompting his fasts.

Early Life and South Africa (1869-1914)

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat, into a merchant caste family. His father was a respected administrator. As British colonial rule intensified in India, marked by increased taxes, famines, and exploitation, Gandhi left for London at age 18 to study law. A pivotal moment occurred in 1893 in South Africa, where, despite possessing a first-class train ticket, he was forcibly removed due to his race. This experience ignited his commitment to fighting racial discrimination. Initially, Gandhi believed Indians should be treated better than Black Africans, a view he later renounced. Over 21 years in South Africa, he developed the concept of Satyagraha – resistance through nonviolent means and personal sacrifice, refusing to obey unjust laws rather than resorting to violence. He established Tolstoy Farm near Johannesburg as a headquarters for the Satyagraha movement and a model for peaceful community living.

Return to India and the Nationalist Movement (1915-1930)

Gandhi returned to India in 1915, becoming a spiritual and political leader. He spent a year traveling the country, understanding the needs of the people amidst growing tensions under British rule. He joined the Indian National Congress, advocating for nationwide strikes and boycotts of British goods, courts, and schools to cripple the British economy. He promoted the spinning wheel (charkha) as a symbol of self-reliance and rebellion, disrupting the British textile trade – a symbol that remains on the Indian flag today. Gandhi aimed to unite Hindus and Muslims, supporting campaigns important to Muslim communities, but faced criticism from both sides, with some Hindus accusing him of appeasing Muslims and some Muslims believing he didn’t do enough for them.

The Salt March and Growing Divisions (1930-1947)

In 1930, Gandhi led the Salt March, a 400km protest against the British salt monopoly, which made a basic necessity unaffordable for the poor. He symbolically collected salty mud, declaring it would “shake the foundations of the British Empire.” While the salt tax remained, the march demonstrated the power of Satyagraha. However, underlying tensions regarding a unified India were escalating. The 1940s saw increasing demands for independence from leaders like Nehru, Jinnah, and Gandhi, but with differing visions. Gandhi envisioned a benevolent Hindu majority, Nehru a secular democracy, and Jinnah a separate Muslim homeland (Pakistan). The Noakhali riots in 1946, marked by widespread communal violence, deeply affected Gandhi, leading him to undertake fasts to protest the bloodshed.

The Assassination and Aftermath (January 30, 1948)

The Partition of India in August 1947, resulting in the creation of India and Pakistan, was a catastrophic event marked by mass migration and approximately one million deaths. Gandhi, heartbroken by the violence, continued to fast to promote peace. Nathuram Godse, a Hindu nationalist born in 1910 and a member of the RSS, viewed Gandhi as a traitor for his perceived appeasement of Muslims and his commitment to nonviolence. Godse had attempted to assassinate Gandhi twice before, in 1944 and 1946, but was forgiven by Gandhi each time. On January 30, 1948, Godse fatally shot Gandhi at Biddah House in Delhi. He was apprehended by onlookers and subsequently tried and convicted, along with several co-conspirators. Godse and Narayan Apte were sentenced to death, with Godse reciting the RSS prayer before his execution.

Godse and the RSS

Godse’s ideology stemmed from his involvement with the RSS, which promoted a fundamentally Hindu India. The RSS was banned following the assassination but later re-emerged and has become a significant force in Indian politics, with current Prime Minister Narendra Modi having roots in the organization. Recent years have seen a re-evaluation of Godse’s image by some within the ruling party, with some even referring to him as a “patriot.”

Notable Quotes:

• Gandhi: “With this, I’m shaking the foundations of the British Empire.” (Referring to the handful of salty mud during the Salt March)

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The assassination of Mahatma Gandhi was a tragic culmination of decades of political and religious tension. While Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha inspired a nation and ultimately contributed to India’s independence, his vision of a unified, harmonious India was shattered by the forces of partition and religious extremism. The legacy of Gandhi remains complex and contested, with the figure of his assassin, Nathuram Godse, undergoing a controversial re-evaluation in contemporary India, highlighting the enduring divisions that continue to shape the nation’s identity. The story serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of peace and the enduring power of ideological conflict.