004 : GANDHIJI AND COMMUNALISM

Here is an excerpt from an article by Shri Ram Puniyani at http://communalism.blogspot.com/2007/10/gandhi-religion-and-indian-nationalism.html(Those who wish to see the full essay can click this link and read the article there).

"... While Muslim League talked of Islamic Nation, Pakistan, and Hindu Mahasbha/RSS talked of Hindu nation, Gandhi talked of secular India, articulating the aspirations of majority of the country. He wanted religion to be a private matter for the individual, "In India, for whose fashioning I have worked all my life, every man enjoys equality of status, whatever his religion is. The state is bound to be wholly secular", and, "religion is not the test of nationality but is a personal matter between man and God, and," religion is a personal affair of each individual, it must not be mixed up with politics or national affairs". It is clear that while communalists saw religion as the dividing institution, Gandhi in his unique way, more in continuation with Bhakti and Sufi
traditions saw religion as the ground which united people, "I consider myself as good a Muslim as I am a Hindu and for that matter, I regard myself as equally good a Christian or a Parsi" This quote of his has to be seen along with his two other more often cited quotes," For me, politics bereft of religion is absolute dirt, ever to be shunned", and "politics divorced from religion is like a corpse, fit only to be burnt." (all quotes from Gandhi and Communal Problems, CSSS, 1994 pg 6). This again is so exceptional in its innovation in understanding. Here by religion he meant its morality aspects not just the ones related to external identity. ... "

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Actually I wanted to record my observations as "comments" in their blog itself. But they have not provided for the comments window, probably because they do not tolerate a difference of opinion from readers. Hence, I am writing my observations here.

In 1906 Muslim League was started. They might have had their own grievances in starting a separate religious organisation.

But it was Gandhiji who unnecessarily inserted the element of religion into freedom movement by starting the Khilafat movement. He might have thought by means of Khilafat, he could win the goodwill of Muslims and their support to the freedom movement. It might have been a genuine strategy in the given circumstances. But it had its negative impact, because religious preachers and clerics have started thinking that they are indispensible for the freedom and unity of India. Even now that belief continues.

Gandhiji continuously resorting to "bhajans and religious songs" (though of course of all the three religions) had unnecessarily raised the importance of religion in human life and politics.

Savarkar and others thought that he was pro-Muslim. Jinna and his Company believed that Rama would rule the country after freedom with Hindu domination of the Government.

This is not to find fault with Gandhiji. But his honest and unintended actions added one nail to the coffin of Undivided Continental India.