Who was Mahatma Gandhi
Born on 2nd October 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was India’s tallest leader of the independence movement. He successfully led India’s non-violent movement against the British, which in turn inspired many civil rights movements across the world.
Gandhi had studied law and he went to South Africa to represent a client. Upon return, he joined the Indian National Congress and led nationwide campaigns for farmers, peasants, and labourers. He also fought against caste discrimination and fought for expanding women’s rights.
He led some of the most historic movements in India’s freedom struggle. He led Indians to break the salt law, through the Dandi March in 1930, which helped Indians believe that they can challenge the might of the British. He also led the Quit India movement in 1942.
Mahatma Gandhi believed in religious pluralism. He wanted India to be a secular nation and he fought to make it a reality. But his vision was hindered by Muslim nationalists led by the Muslim league on one side and the Hindu Mahasabha and the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak on the other side leading the Hindu nationalists. Gandhi, who opposed the Partition, could not prevent the partition of India into a Hindu majority India and Muslim majority Pakistan.
Gandhi was killed by Hindu nationalist Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948.