In January 1948 a refugee in Delhi attends Gandhiji's prayer meeting…

In January 1948 a refugee in Delhi attends Gandhiji's prayer meeting and hears him speak about India and Pakistan after Partition. Which view is he most likely to have heard?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → The two parts should respect and befriend one another

Option (1) A fresh movement should be launched to undo the Partition — Incorrect. Gandhiji had fought for a united India, but after Partition he did not call for a movement to reverse it. He asked for friendship instead.

Option (2) The two parts should respect and befriend one another — Correct. Though he had fought for a united India, after Partition Gandhiji urged that the two parts respect and befriend one another. He hoped they would be friends and brothers at heart.

Option (3) India should treat its minorities as Pakistan treated its own — Incorrect. This goes against Gandhiji's hope for equality of all classes and creeds. Minority rights in India were not to depend on Pakistan.

Option (4) The two parts should keep apart until all refugees were resettled — Incorrect. Gandhiji asked the two countries to help and respect one another at once. He set no waiting period for friendship.

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On 26 January, he spoke at his prayer meeting of how that day had been celebrated in the past as Independence Day. Now freedom had come, but its first few months had been deeply disillusioning. However, he trusted that “the worst is over”, that Indians would henceforth work collectively for the “equality of all classes and creeds, never the domination and superiority of the major community over a minor, however insignificant it may be in numbers or influence”. He also permitted himself the hope “that though geographically and politically India is divided into two, at heart we shall ever be friends and brothers helping and respecting one another and be one for the outside world”.”

“Gandhiji had fought a lifelong battle for a free and united India; and yet, when the country was divided, he urged that the two parts respect and befriend one another.”

In January 1948 a refugee in Delhi attends Gandhiji's prayer meeting and hears him speak about India and Pakistan after Partition. Which view is he most likely to have heard?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 2

The correct answer is Option (2) → The two parts should respect and befriend one another

“Gandhiji had fought a lifelong battle for a free and united India; and yet, when the country was divided, he urged that the two parts respect and befriend one another.”