Tag Archives: Ahimsa paramo DharmaH

This piece critically examines Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership in India’s struggle for independence and partition. Gandhi is celebrated for nonviolent resistance, yet the author assesses whether his “ahimsa” principle neglected the right to self-defense, especially during violent clashes during partition. The author argues that Gandhi’s response to proposals for partition, India’s subsequent violent separation, and ensuing mass displacement indicate failed leadership. Moreover, the piece re-evaluates the roles of Gandhi, Nehru, and Jinnah during this period. It suggests they lacked authority to accept partition, accuses them of abandonment for not ensuring partition’s peaceful implementation, and questions their underlying adherence to non-violence, citing violence’s necessity for justice and protection.