Description
Adele Mellen Prize for Distinguished Contribution to Scholarship It is commonly known that Mahatma Gandhi was shot dead in 1948 by a Hindu militant, only half a year after India had both gained her independence and lost almost a quarter of her territory to the newly-founded Islamic state of Pakistan. Less well-known is assassin Nathuram Godses motive. Until now, no publication has dealt with this question except for the naked text of Godses own speech in his defense, pronounced during his trial. It didnt save him from the hangman, but still contains a substantive argumentation against the facile glorification of the Mahatma. Dr. Elst compares Godses case against Gandhi with criticisms voiced in wider circles, and with historical data known at the time or brought to light since. While the Mahatma was extolled by the Hindu masses, political leaders of divergent persuasions who had to deal with him tended to be less enthusiastic, and their views would have become the received wisdom if he hadnt been assassinated. Yet, the author also presents some new arguments in Gandhis defense from unexpected quarters.
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