E-Book - Mahatma Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi – His Life & TimesSomething far down in Nehru's psyche rebels against surrender. He was repelledby the unquestioning obedience which most Indian leaders gave Gandhi. Hequestioned and argued and resisted—and finally surrendered. He fights for theindependence of his personality. He balks against conquest. When he submitshe does so with meekness and grace. Gandhi knew his frailties and he himselfhas come to recognize his limitations. In politics all his life, Nehru nevermastered the intricacies of party politics as the Mahatma and Patel did. He isthe tribune not the organizer, a spokesman to the outside, not the manipulatorinside. He appeals most to intellectuals but not with intellect; his appeal is tothe heart. In India, that is an asset. He is an aristocrat whose love foraristocrats is no impediment to his love of the people. One of the world'sforemost statesmen, he is not a statesman at all. He is a good person lostamong statesmen. The people give him adulation; he lends it to those who rimthe machine of government.In India Nehru is addicted to gusts of temper and bursts of indignation. Onoccasions, he bodily assaulted men who aroused his indignation. He has endlessphysical courage. Sometimes, in press conferences, he makes unconsideredstatements of defiance. These may all be strivings towards strength. There canbe no doubt that it was Gandhi's vast inner strength and clarity, among otherthings, that so fascinated and captivated Jawaharlal.Nehru's books show beauty of soul, nobility of ideal and egocentrism. Gandhiseemed entirely extrovert; he was no burden to himself. Nehru must alwayscope with his own problem.In the afternoon of that second day at the nature-cure clinic, Nehru sat crossleggedon my bed for an hour while I occupied the only chair. He had gone tohis beloved native Kashmir on a visit; the Maharaja forbade his entry. Hegrappled with an Indian soldier, equipped with bayoneted rifle, who barred hisway at the frontier post. Now he said, 'I am convinced that the British Agentwould not have kept me out of Kashmir while I was engaged in the CabinetMission negotiations without first consulting the Viceroy, and, that being so, itdoes not appear that they are getting ready to leave India.'www.mkgandhi.org Page 485