Millions died during partition because of Indian intollerance.

Was Gandhi responsible for that?

At one level he was.

What would have happened if Britain had enforced its rule and civil order? We shall never know.

Certainly my father was able to wander the hills of Kashmere, unarmed, in a British uniform in 1946 and 7. Neither an Indian nor a Pakistani soldier could do that today.

So should Gandhi be held up as an icon? Jan Smutts obviously thought not when he deported Gandhi from South Aftrica.

Some food for thought.

One mans vision is one thing....if you read hist thoughts...then some of them are even Great for me, who comes from another culture.

If you look at A Country's development, then that is quiet another thing.

Gandhi was not a Dictator, that imposed his thoughts to his people.
He gave them ideas, he fought his war like few have done before him, but as long as you don't have the "dictators" right, the development of the Country is controlled by groups, that all want a piece of the "power", and also the Tradition of the people, which must be "adjusted" and that takes times and effort.
I think he, in the big picture, did a very good job, as one of the few freedoms fighters that even worked for his Country after he got his power.

I think we all can agree that also Nelson Mandela is a great leader, and a a unique man for his Country, even if he was jailed....it is his deed that is remembered...not the leaders who govern after him.

It is not for me to say who you should admire.

Though as you mention him, it is worth saying Mandela achieved his revolution without bloodshed, and that is why he is celebrated.

Neither of these men would have achieved what they did without the intense co operation and support of the authorities against whom they rebelled (specifically Mountbatton and de Clerk).

In any case, who can say whether it would have been better done in some other way by someone else - my point.

Returning to Gandhi, I do not judge Indian government.

British government never wanted India (Clive was murdered by British political interests, not the people of Bengal who might have had better cause).
Britain was forced into rulership by the Mutiny, cemented by Disraeli (who did believe in empire).
It is not surprising that after Britain became fully democratic, and after World War II, it would want to leave India.
What is disappointing is the way it was done, prompted by Gandhi and executed by Atlee's government.

Had Gandhi been wise he might have managed independance without provoking such vicious religious/sectarian divide.
A division which split the country into (now) 4 and caused such polarisation that the continuing extremism in Pakistan may threaten the existence of the World.

Of course Gandhi did not fight, and I do not accuse him of doing so (is that not the inspiration for which he is given credit?).
For what it is worth, neither he, nor I, think it was non-violence alone which kept him safe (c.f. government response to the women's sufferage movement).

Regards,

Mike

[quote="Mike Voyce"

Had Gandhi been wise he might have managed independance without provoking such vicious religious/sectarian divide.
[/quote]

I think we both know that fanatic is dangerous all over the world.....but from what I have read....you can't direct blame Gandhi for it, I am not saying he is perfect....just like he himself have quoted above....

I say "more or less" because I believe that everything the human hand touches, by reason of the very fact that human beings are imperfect, becomes imperfect.

From wiki:
He conducted extensive dialogue with Muslim and Hindu community leaders, working to cool passions in northern India, as well as in Bengal. Despite the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, he was troubled when the Government decided to deny Pakistan the 55 crores (550 million Indian rupees) due as per agreements made by the Partition Council. Leaders like Sardar Patel feared that Pakistan would use the money to bankroll the war against India. Gandhi was also devastated when demands resurged for all Muslims to be deported to Pakistan, and when Muslim and Hindu leaders expressed frustration and an inability to come to terms with one another.[25] He launched his last fast-unto-death in Delhi, asking that all communal violence be ended once and for all, and that the payment of 550 million rupees be made to Pakistan. Gandhi feared that instability and insecurity in Pakistan would increase their anger against India, and violence would spread across the borders. He further feared that Hindus and Muslims would renew their enmity and that this would precipitate open civil war. After emotional debates with his life-long colleagues, Gandhi refused to budge, and the Government rescinded its policy and made the payment to Pakistan. Hindu, Muslim and Sikh community leaders, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and Hindu Mahasabha assured him that they would renounce violence and call for peace. Gandhi thus broke his fast by sipping orange juice.[26]