Jaipur Literature Festival Hosts Deep Dive into Gandhi, Savarkar, and Jinnah's Ideologies
The Jaipur Literature Festival held a compelling session on Saturday titled "Polarities: Gandhi, Savarkar and Jinnah." This discussion brought into sharp focus the vastly different political paths taken by these three iconic leaders. Scholars and historians on the panel explored how their ideas continue to influence India's national discourse today.
Khilafat Movement Marked a Turning Point
Scholar Makarand R Paranjape highlighted a critical moment in history. He noted that the Khilafat Movement served as a major divergence point. This movement aimed to restore the Caliphate in Turkey after World War I. Gandhi supported it strongly to foster Hindu-Muslim unity. Paranjape shared a fascinating anecdote from this period.
While Savarkar was under house arrest in Ratnagiri, Gandhi paid him a visit. During this meeting, Savarkar issued a stark warning. He told Gandhi that his "policy of Muslim appeasement" might eventually lead to the Partition of India. Despite this, Gandhi's commitment to Hindu-Muslim unity never wavered, according to Paranjape.
1909: Two Seminal Texts, Two Different Visions
The panel reflected on two pivotal works published in 1909. Gandhi wrote 'Hind Swaraj' and Savarkar authored 'The Indian War of Independence.' Both books addressed India's struggle for freedom. However, they presented radically opposing visions for achieving it.
- Gandhi championed non-violence and moral restraint as the core principles.
- Savarkar emphasized the necessity of armed resistance against colonial rule.
Together, these contrasting ideas deeply shaped India's political and social landscape in the decades leading up to Partition and beyond.
Moving Beyond Simple Binaries
Paranjape urged the audience to avoid viewing early 20th-century politics through a simplistic lens of secularism versus religion. He pointed out the complex personal beliefs of each leader.
- Jinnah was once celebrated as a champion of Hindu-Muslim Unity.
- Gandhi described himself as a Sanatani Hindu.
- Savarkar identified as an atheist.
Paranjape cited personal habits to underline these contrasts. Jinnah, who advocated for Muslim interests, was known to enjoy eating salami, which contains pork. Savarkar openly rejected all forms of religious orthodoxy.
Complex Legacies and Mutual Respect
The discussion revealed nuanced relationships between these figures. Jinnah often criticized Gandhi, calling his methods impractical. In contrast, Savarkar publicly praised Gandhi's profound influence on Indian society. He wrote in Marathi that Gandhians left a lasting impact despite their ideological differences.
Paranjape also noted Savarkar's foresight regarding external threats to India. He believed that Congress leaders failed to anticipate these dangers. Interestingly, the Hindu Mahasabha was initially founded by prominent Congress figures like Madan Mohan Malaviya and Lala Lajpat Rai.
The session, featuring historian Alex von Tunzelmann and author Kishwar Desai alongside Paranjape, provided a rich, multi-faceted examination of how these three leaders' divergent paths continue to resonate in modern India.
