Mahatma Gandhi's support to Khilafat Movement

IAS Mains General Studies Sample Answers

Mahatma Gandhi's support to Khilafat Movement had diluted his secular credentials? Give your argument based on the assessment of events.

The Khilafat Movement had nothing to do with the Indian politics. It was a purely Islamic Movement supporting the cause of Khalifa of Turkey on religious bases, against the British Government. It rose out of the defeat of Turkey and allies in the first world war against the British and allies. Gandhi had always advocated for secular politics. He was against the use of religion as an agenda. But supporting the Khilafat issue was severely criticized by many leaders as diluting his secular credentials.

But Gandhi was justified. Because the league had started to advocate itself as a Muslim representative organization and branding the Congress as a Hindu body. This issue gave a chance to wash away these branding blames. Again during the 1919-1922 period, there was a remarkable unity of Hindu. Muslim which was an indication of the success of Gandhiji's policy. By the Lukhnow Pact in 1916. Congress accepted the issue regarding the Separate electorates for the Muslims. Gandhiji did not have anything to do with this.

Congress cut apart from the so called secular policy. Further Gandhiji protested against the division of the country on the basis of the religion. During the massive riots Gandhiji tried his best and the riots stopped through his non-violence policy. Therefore, it will be wrong to judge that Gandhiji hurt the religious secularity by supporting the Khilafat Movement.

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