What do people of Pakistan think about Gandhi

[Spectre]

I've been taught that he Was a good man & wanted us to have our share of money after partition

This is historically correct. Nehru wanted to withhold your share and Gandhi went on fast to make him give to you guys.

Major reason he was assassinated.

 

[syedali73]

As a Sgt. Major in British Army*, he quelled rebellions for his British masters in Africa and later become a 'Maha Aatma' and called his former Masters to quit India.

* EMPIRE’S SOLDIER: GANDHI AND BRITAIN’S WARS, 1899-1918 - Empire’s soldier: Gandhi and Britain’s wars, 1899-1918 (PDF Download Available)

 

[Thorough Pro]

I have highlighted to focal point

I've been taught that he Was a good man & wanted us to have our share of money after partition

 

[Spectre]

So first things first, Pakistanis are not obsessed about India or Indians and our schools text does not teach anything about any Indian leader, they focus more on positive role of Muslim leaders in the independence of Pakistan and the reality is that it was Muslims who actually came up with the idea of independence and triggered the whole independence movement.

Besides the negatives in his personal life (which had no impact on the most people) the negatives in his character that are despised most was his racism (hate), duplicity, and un-sincerity towards Muslims. The idea of a separate country for Muslims came very late after Muslim leaders realized the duplicity and deceit of Hindu political leadership.

Anyways past is past, and we Pakistanis are very happy, obliged and thankful to far-sighted Muslim leadership of that time that they saw through the Hindu leadership mentality and got us freedom.

We proudly salute to all our leaders of those tough times and indebted to all the common people for their immense sacrifices.

As far as we are aware he was Pro-Muslim and even offered Jinnah the role of PM to prevent partition which Indian leaders rejected. Not sure about the racism and hate part my friend.

Though agree he had character flaws and personal failings, after all he was only human

 

[Thorough Pro]

he did go on hunger strike but to no avail. He was not murdered for that reason, he was "killed" for power struggle in new India.

This is historically correct. Nehru wanted to withhold your share and Gandhi went on fast to make him give to you guys.

Major reason he was assassinated.

That is why I did not mention them and commented that that had no impact on most.

As far as we are aware he was Pro-Muslim and even offered Jinnah the role of PM to prevent partition which Indian leaders rejected. Not sure about the racism and hate part my friend.

Though agree he had character flaws and personal failings, after all he was only human

 

[My-Analogous]

Things are not good between India and Pakistan is an understatement, However one thing we had common b/w us was our glorious struggle for Independence. Not withstanding the bitterness that was our partition, I think we can look back with sense of shared reverence for the Freedom Fighters from both sides sacrificed so much to give us our freedom.

In this respect I am curious about how Gandhi and Bhagat Singh are perceived in Pakistan and I would be welcome views from fellow Indians on Jinnah.

Please not this thread is not intended to give offense and just meant to take stock of respect these freedom fighters gather with close to 68 years of history behind us.

Regards

I respect him and he was a great leader and follower of Greatest leader and he learned a lot from our Prophet.

 

[dravidianhero]

As far as we are aware he was Pro-Muslim and even offered Jinnah the role of PM to prevent partition which Indian leaders rejected. Not sure about the racism and hate part my friend.

Though agree he had character flaws and personal failings, after all he was only human

Dhobi kaa kutta na that ka na ghaat ka..people like Gandhi were more interested to gain popularity and to be called mahatmas...he is neither respected in India now nor in pak for whom he fought (to be in good books of Muslims)

 

[Spectre]

As a Sgt. Major in British Army, he quelled rebellions for his British masters in Africa and later become a 'Maha Aatma' and called his former Masters to quit India.

Gandhi was a part of voluntary ambulance corps, a non-military entity, which was raised with some 1,100 men.

The Gandhi being a soldier who quelled rebellions against British part is a myth which has been rejected multiple times both by British and Indian Historians. The whole world knows about the part he played in S. Africa against discrimination.

Many anti- Gandhians in Indian like the RSS types also believe this myth of Gandhi being a British stooge.

 

[Hyde]

Pakistan has contrasting opinion about Gandhi. Some people praise him for his simple lifestyle and struggle for independence and others discard him for being a cunning man. It's tough to give one sided opinion about him

Regarding Bhagat Singh I think most people agree that he was a freedom fighter and regard his struggle for independence in respect

If certain elements did not raise an issue out of nothing, we might have several monuments named after him and perhaps taught a lesson or two on his life.

 

[nForce]

I am kind of interested in knowing how does the Govt treat the subject of Gandhi over there, is it indifference, respect or hostility. How do their text books cover the freedom struggle - it ought to be the same as us for anti british parts atleast but realistically speaking there would be differences the question is how much

Based on what I have heard from first hand interactions :

1. Gandhi is very less mentioned. Some mention about his trips to London.

2. He was pro-Hindu if not anti-Muslim.

3. He made reading Bhagwad Gita mandatory and promoted idol-worship.

4. He was against partition.

5. He was a good friend and rival of Jinnah.

The readers are then left to draw their own conclusions, which may or may not be assisted by the teacher.

We can expand it to a few other points, so far as history is concerned, later.

 

[dravidianhero]

I respect him and he was a great leader and follower of Greatest leader and he learned a lot from our Prophet.

Don't be fooled by his words..he expelled his son for converting to Islam(of course his son later reverted to Hinduism though)...they were just the words to gain popularity and votes from Muslims...he was the first pseudo secularist in India.

 

[Spectre]

Pakistan has contrasting opinion about Gandhi. Some people praise him for his simple lifestyle and struggle for independence and others discard him for being a cunning man. It's tough to give one sided opinion about him

Regarding Bhagat Singh I think most people agree that he was a freedom fighter and regard his struggle for independence in respect

If certain elements did not raise an issue out of nothing, we might have several monuments named after him and perhaps taught a lesson or two on his life.

Well said, Opinions in India are divided too about Gandhi and though lately BJP has joined the pro-Gandhi side but still certain sections of RSS regards him as a traitor for some obvious reasons.

It's curious how people leading violent struggle for freedom like Bhagat Singh are praised equally at both sides and non-violence and peace to achieve freedom are vilified equally in India and Pakistan. I personally have great respect for Bhagat Singh but am surprised by the hostility Gandhi receives in certain sections.

 

[dravidianhero]

Pakistan has contrasting opinion about Gandhi. Some people praise him for his simple lifestyle and struggle for independence and others discard him for being a cunning man. It's tough to give one sided opinion about him

Regarding Bhagat Singh I think most people agree that he was a freedom fighter and regard his struggle for independence in respect

If certain elements did not raise an issue out of nothing, we might have several monuments named after him and perhaps taught a lesson or two on his life.

You people should hang your heads in shame...you see everything with religious lens...that is the reason why you didnt or don't give the respect that great man(or boy) deserves..he was the son of your soil..he is way way above your current politicians who suck your people's blood and sweat..yet you reserve them a page in books of history..he was just 24 years when he laid his life for you people..he inspired so many people and became a leader at such young age..can you name at least one Pakistani freedom fighter who could hold candle in front of him?
I am talking about bhagat Singh not Gandhi..gandhi is cunning bastard of the highest order..I agree

 

[Musalman]

Gandhi is not hated in Pakistan. However his association and then disassociation with khilfat movement is highly questionable.
We still have Nehru park and Gandhi chowk on Lahore.

 

[nForce]

Don't be fooled by his words..he expelled his son for converting to Islam(of course his son later reverted to Hinduism though)...they were just the words to gain popularity and votes from Muslims...he was the first pseudo secularist in India.

Harilal Gandhi renounced ties with his family in 1911 and converted to Islam after 25 years in 1936. Please know what you are talking about first.

Regarding the incident, in Gandhi own words to his other son Ramda Gandhi, "Just read in the paper about Harilal's exploit. There could be no harm in his being converted to Islam with understanding and selfless motives. But he suffers from greed for wealth and sensual pleasures. I shall be spared all mental pain if I find my impression wrong and he turns a new leaf.."

@Aether Let me apologize on his behalf.