Could someone please explain the India partition, Gandhi's role and why he seems to be hated for the genocides that occurred there?

by ludicrousaccount
barath_s

Could you be more specific ?

The events of partition are well known and cover a fair amount of time and evolution. Initially Gandhi opposed partition, going so far as to recommend that Jinnah rule an undivided India. When it was clear that partition was a reality, Gandhi acceded.

Gandhi put forth his efforts against the genocide at partition. As Mountbatten wrote "In the Punjab we have 55,000 soldiers and large-scale rioting on our hands. In Bengal, our forces consist of one man, and there is no rioting." It was a short reprieve in one area.

There were Hindus who viewed Gandhi with suspicion. His sense of religion was eclectic and he had amicable and warm relations with Christians, Muslims and others, reading and speaking of their holy books too. As a reformer he pushed for inter caste marriages, for women and against untouchability. Thus distrust and dislike bred in the hearts of some.

During the genocide, there were those who viewed him as a traitor to his religion/Muslim sympathizer, who stayed vengeance against the Muslims while Hindus were being slaughtered.

It wasn't only Hindus who viewed Gandhi with mistrust and hatred either.

Gandhi also pressured the Government to release 55 crores of funds (representing monies that were due to Pakistan due to partition) to Pakistan. This instalment had been held back after Pakistan invaded Kashmir, on grounds that it would likely be used for arms against India. Gandhi saw it as a matter of simple justice, of rendering one's dues, but it surely rubbed salt into the wounds of some Indians who hated him.

The topic is large; perhaps you have some specific actions, time frame/events or persons in mind ?

Feezec

Can you link to a example? People are probably having trouble answering because they don't know what specific accusations you are referring to