Yes Friends,

That is one major question that find asking myself a lot these days.

Many Historians and People have commented that that there was some -


(i) unnecessary delay
(ii) undesirable lack of transparency


in the achievement of the Indian Independence by the adherence to Gandhian Methods and/or Policies. At first this perplexed me, but as I researched more, and analysed deeper and deeper, it started appearing to me that there might be some truth in it.


In order to understand the situation better, we need to take a deeper look at the Gandhian Principles and Policies. However, instead of explaining you all the details, I'll just leave with the important links. This is because though I've already formed my own conclusions, I don't wish to impose them on you, and I'll leave you to form your own.


Before you begin, a little word of caution : this might be a long read, as some of the articles may be long.



I'm providing some of the broad points that have occurred to me, along with links to the sources or articles at various places on the Internet :-


(1) The Impact of the Quit India Movement vis-a-vis the Impact of the Azad Hind Fauz :- Please visit the following links :

Was the Indian Independence Movement MORE INDIAN than GANDHIAN ?

(Warning : BIG Article)


(2) Gandhi's Philosophy, Political Policies and Leadership Style :- Please visit the link :


critique, Gandhi, jayanti, india, indian national congress, leaders, biography, freedom movement, independence struggle, non violence





(3) Gandhi's ideas on Sex and Brahmacharya and its importance in the Indian National Movement : Please visit the following links :


(a) What was the Gandhi ji's Experiments with Brahmacharya? - Sulekha coffeehouse Forums


(b) Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


(c) Thrill of the chaste: The truth about Gandhi's sex life - Features, Books - The Independent


(d) http://www.straightdope.com/columns/...p-with-virgins



(4) Gandhi as a Parent : Please visit the following links :


How many children did Mahatma Gandhi have? | Telugu Bloggers



(5) Gandhi–Subhash Chandra Bose Relations : Please visit the following links :


» Mahatma and Netaji – A little bit of history . || Satyameva Jayate ||



(6) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had defeated Nehru by winning 12 out of the 15 votes in the Congress AICC, and therefore was selected to become the Congress President in 1947. As per the Indian Independence Act 1947, it was the Congress President who would become the First Prime Minister of India, when the Transfer of Power took place. But soon after winning the vote Sardar Patel withdrew his name in favour of Nehru, at Gandhiji's insistence. Why did this happen ? I checked high and low for an answer, but couldn't find one.

Link : Do a Google Search and you'll get a number of links.



(7) Nehru's highly controversial relationship with Lady Edwina Mountbatten, Wife of British Viceroy Lord Mountbatten : Please visit the Following Links :

(a) http://www.indianexpress.com/ie/dail.../21650083.html

(b) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/ar...ern-India.html

(c) http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/col...-story_1296585

(d) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwina_...atten_of_Burma



There was lot more information at various places on the web, but I've limited my presentation only to those that I found backed by strong Evidence and found credible.



After going through all these facts, a few questions arise in my mind –



(1) Could these facts really be responsible, or provide a clue, for the delay that historians and people say was caused in the achievement of Indian Independence ?



(2) If these facts had any impact, did they do so alone or in a combination of two or more ?



(3) And can these facts actually mean that our Freedom Movement may have lacked transparency and might have hidden facts that we do not know about ?



I don't know. I have formed my opinion; but I'd like to know Yours. And that, I believe is best left to you to form.

If possible, please let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Summit.