Question

Explain why many scholars believe that the months after Independence were Gandhiji’s ‘finest hour.’

Answer 1

1. Mahatma Gandhi was not present at the festivities in the capital on 15 August 1947. He was in Calcutta, but he did not attend any function or hoist a flag there either.
2. He kept himself isolated from the celebrations as he believed that freedom came at an unacceptable price with a nation divided.
3. He tried to build a spirit of mutual trust and confidence between the communities. He was worried about the displaced people in India and Pakistan.
4. After the attainment of Independence, Gandhiji kept himself aloof from political work and engagements. He focussed on pacifying people, went around hospitals and refugee camps and giving consolation to distressed people.
5. He appealed to Sikhs, Hindus, and Muslims to forget the past and extend the hand of friendship and cooperation to one.
6. He said the worst is over, and all Indians should work together for the equality of all classes and creeds. He even thought that though India and Pakistan are divided geographically and politically, at heart we shall be friends and brothers and be one for the outside world.
7. Gandhiji was in Bengal when India attained its freedom, after bringing peace to Bengal he shifted to Delhi and he was willing to go to Punjab to console the people.
8. Therefore, it can be said that in his last days, Gandhiji was spending time bringing peace without any pressure of political objectives. He was serving humanity.
9. So, keeping all the above in consideration, scholars described the month after Independence as Gandhiji’s ‘finest hour’.