Alumni Of English Department ,Shivaji University, Kolhapur

16/08/2026

Mahatma Gandhi’s views on partition was earnest, heartfelt and crystal clear. He deeply warned against the possible violence of communal division of India:
:

“…Personally, I have always said 'No', and I say 'No' even now to both these questions [whether the communal division of India is inevitable and whether such division will solve the communal problem].

The conversations were carried on in a friendly spirit even though there could never be agreement between us [Jinnah and me] on the question of the division of India. I cannot bear the thought of it and so long as I am convinced that it is wrong, I cannot possibly put my signature to the scheme. I hold that it is not only bad for the Hindus, but equally so for the Muslims.

I do not think in terms of the good of any particular community where India is concerned. I try to be the representative and servant of all alike.

[I am sorry] at what I consider is a mistaken policy of the Muslim League. They fear Hindu domination, they said, and desire to rule in what they are mistaken in calling their own homelands. As a matter of fact, however, India is the homeland of all who are born and bred in India. Will the Muslim homeland live in isolation? Is not the Punjab as much the homeland of the Hindus, the Sikhs, the Christians, the Jews and the Parsis who are of the Punjab?

I cannot blame the Viceroy for what has happened. It is the act of the Congress and the League. The Viceroy has openly said that he wants a United India, but he is powerless in the face of Congress acceptance, however reluctantly, of the Muslim position. I cannot understand why we cannot remain united for the object of facing foreign aggression. The present mode of division may even lead to internal warfare between the two armies who might even look upon themselves as rivals. That will be a tragedy too deep for tears. “

- Mahatma Gandhi

THE WAY TO COMMUNAL HARMONY
BY M. K. Gandhi
Compiled and Edited by U. R. RAO
Foreword by PROF. HUMAYUN KABIR
Introduction by DR. RAJENDRA PRASAD
NAVAJIVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE AHMEDABAD-14, pp 307-08.

15/08/2026

15/08/2026

Mahatma Gandhi on Partition :

“We are not two nations. Those who believe the Hindus and the Muslims to be two nations harm both the communities and India. It should not matter that the Quaid-i-Azam believes the Hindus and the Muslims of India to be two nations or that there are Hindus too who entertain the same belief. Surely, it does not follow that because the whole world is in error, we, who believe otherwise, should follow it. This should never happen.”

- Mahatma Gandhi

( Chapter: ‘The Demand for Partition’ , THE WAY TO COMMUNAL HARMONY
BY M. K. GANDHI
Compiled and Edited by U. R. RAO
Foreword by PROF. HUMAYUN KABIR
Introduction by DR. RAJENDRA PRASAD
NAVAJIVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE AHMEDABAD-14 P.301)

15/08/2026

Join us at the National Film Archive of India for a screening of (1951) directed by Phani Majumdar.

Weaving newsreel footage into its inspiring plot, the film presents the Indian freedom movement through the eyes of a young idealist (Kishore Kumar).

Andolan | 1951 | | Restored 2K | 142 mins
Director : Phani Mazumdar

Time: 15th August, 5 PM
Venue: NFAI, Law College Road Pune

15/08/2026

Jawaharlal Nehru's speech on Indian independence, known as "Tryst with Destiny," was delivered on August 14, 1947, at the stroke of midnight. Here's a glimpse into what he said:

A New Beginning :

Nehru emphasized that India's independence was not a conclusion but a new beginning. He said, "Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially."

Unity and Equality :

He stressed the importance of unity and equality among Indians, stating, "All of us, to whatever religion we may belong, are equally the children of India with equal rights, privileges and obligations."

Responsibility and Progress :

Nehru urged Indians to work hard to build a prosperous, democratic, and progressive nation. He said, "The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer. It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity."

Tribute to Leaders :

He paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, and other unknown volunteers and soldiers of freedom who sacrificed their lives for India's independence.

Global Cooperation :

Nehru emphasized India's commitment to peace, freedom, and democracy, stating, "To the nations and peoples of the world, we send greetings and pledge ourselves to cooperate with them in furthering peace, freedom and democracy."

Nation-Building :

He called upon Indians to join hands in building a new India, saying, "We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the people of India what destiny intended them to be."

Nehru's speech marked a significant moment in Indian history, symbolizing the country's transition to independence and self-governance. His vision for a united, progressive, and democratic India continues to inspire generations.

15/08/2026

Mahatma Gandhi on the Hindustan - Pakistan Partition Proposal :

“The partition proposal has altered the face of the Hindu-Muslim problem. I have called it an untruth. There can be no compromise with it. At the same time I have said that, if the eight crores of Muslims desire it, no power on earth can prevent it, notwithstanding opposition violent or non-violent. It cannot come by honourable agreement.
That is the political aspect of it.
Let them declare that they want to have their political salvation apart from that of the Hindus. India is a poor country full of Hindus and Musalmans and others staying
in every corner of it. To divide it into two is worse than anarchy. It is vivisection which cannot be tolerated - not because I am a Hindu, for I am speaking from this platform as a representative of Hindus, Muslims, Parsis and all else. But I will say to them, "Vivisect me before you vivisect India. You shall not do what even the Moghuls, who ruled over India for over two centuries, did not do."

- Mahatma Gandhi

 (THE WAY TO COMMUNAL HARMONY
BY M. K. GANDHI
Compiled and Edited by U. R. RAO
Foreword by PROF. HUMAYUN KABIR
Introduction by DR. RAJENDRA PRASAD
NAVAJIVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE AHMEDABAD-14. P. 302-303)

15/08/2026

In his All India Radio broadcast, Mahatma Gandhi asked Indians: “Can every one of you place your hand on your heart and say that every Sikh is your own brother, every Hindu your brother, every Muslim your brother and every Christian your brother or sister?”

For Gandhi, freedom was never just about ending British rule.

It was about whether Indians could live together as one family — with equal dignity, compassion and responsibility towards one another.

Decades later, that idea still asks an uncomfortable question:

Are we becoming better citizens, or simply better at choosing sides?

As India marks its 80th Independence Day, Outlook’s special issue, “Whose Idea of India?”: https://www.outlookindia.com/national/column-gandhis-idea-of-india-was-not-political-freedom-wanted-indians-to-be-one-rajmohan-gandhi

Rajmohan Gandhi writes.

15/08/2026