Published 15:32 IST, October 2nd 2019
Gandhi Jayanti: When Mahatma Gandhi wrote letters to Adolf Hitler
On Gandhi Jayanti, read what Mahatma Gandhi wrote in his letters to Adolf Hitler in the 1940s. Gandhi called Hitler a 'monster' and asked to end World War II.
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About 7 to 8 years before India's independence, Mahatma Gandhi and Adolf Hitler whose personalities were strongly opposed in nature reportedly conversed over two written letters in the 1940s. Both Gandhi and Hitler were two of the most dominant personalities of the 20th century. While the former is a symbol of nonviolence and also attained independence through it, the later massacred thousands in the World War. They never met each other physically yet Mahatma Gandhi wrote two letters to Adolf Hitler in 1939 and 1940 addressing him as a "friend".
"Dear friend, that I address you as a friend is no formality. I own no foes," wrote Gandhi in the first sentence of his letter to Adolf Hitler on December 24, 1940.
Gandhi appealed Hitler to end World War II
The other letter written by Gandhi was dated July 23, 1939. As per reports, the first letter to Hitler by Gandhi was written due to his friend's requests while the second letter was written out of frustration at the expansionist behavior of Hitler. In both the letters, Gandhi asked Hitler to end World War II. He blamed Hitler for leading humanity to the savage state.
"Friends have been urging me to write to you for the sake of humanity. But I have resisted their request, because of the feeling that any letter from me would be an impertinence. It is quite clear that you are today the one person in the world who can prevent a war which may reduce humanity to the savage state," wrote Gandhi in the first letter.
Gandhi called Hitler a 'monster'
Averting Gandhi's remarks, Hitler's military invaded Poland marking the beginning of World War II on September 1, 1939. Following this, Gandhi was forced to write the second letter to Hitler. He reproached him severely for the world war. In his letter, Gandhi called Hitler's acts monstrous and chided his violent actions. Gandhi also wrote on Hitler's invasion in Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Denmark. He wrote that he is aware that Hitler's view of life regards such spoliations as virtuous acts yet he cannot follow it as he has learned the importance of peace from childhood.
"We have no doubt about your bravery or devotion to your fatherland, nor do we believe that you are the monster described by your opponents. But your own writings and pronouncements and those of your friends and admirers leave no room for doubt that many of your acts are monstrous and unbecoming of human dignity, especially in the estimation of men like me who believe in universal friendliness," wrote Gandhi.
Gandhi cited Hitler as a challenger to British oppression
Further, in his letter, Gandhi cited Hitler as a challenger to British oppression. The British colonial rule had snatched India's freedom and Gandhi stood against it and also the violence imposed by the Britishers. Gandhi said that Hitler was a competitor in terms of violence with the British. He added that no matter what the situation is India will never wish to end British rule with German aid.
"We were groping for the right means to combat the most organized violence in the world which the British power represents. You have challenged it. It remains to be seen which is better organized, the German or the British. We know what the British heel means for us and the non-European races of the world. But we would never wish to end the British rule with German aid," he wrote.
Gandhi had predicted Hitler's fall
Hitler suffered a series of defeats at the hands of allied forces-led by France, the UK, British India and later joined by the USSR and the USA in the second half of 1941. His sharp downfall led him to commit suicide on April 30, 1945. Following this Germany disowned his war legacy. Gandhi had predicted this beforehand.
"If not the British, some other power will certainly improve upon your method and beat you with your own weapon. You are leaving no legacy to your people of which they would feel proud," said Gandhi.
14:25 IST, October 2nd 2019