Hardeep Singh Puri Calls MK Gandhi "Complicated Being" For Asking India To Help During First World War At Book Launch

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri acknowledged the well-documented role and contribution of Mahatma Gandhi in India's freedom struggle, describing him as "quite a complicated being" on Wednesday (18 October).

The minister spoke at an event in Delhi where a book called 'The Reverse Swing - Colonialism to Cooperation' was being released. The book is written by veteran journalist and Prasar Bharati board member Ashok Tandon.

"One chapter (in the book) is on Mahatma Gandhi - an apostle of peace for Britons. We are all disciples of the Father of the Nation. His role in building India, creating a link between an elitist national movement and the masses, fusing that, (all that) is very well documented," Puri said.

He also pointed out that Gandhi "had actually asked for mobilisation of India's help for the war effort during the First World War" while he was still in the UK and called him "quite a complicated being."

Highlighting that all this is "well documented", Puri said that Gandhi's "initial life" in the UK, and his education prepared him for an "English-style barrister", NDTV reported.

"When he goes to South Africa, it is then the Gandhi that we know and the Gandhi who contributed to our national movement begins to mature," the Minsiter added.

Puri mentioned that the chapter thoroughly documents Gandhi's contribution to India's development and his ability to bridge the gap between the elite national movement and the common people.

Puri mentioned that the book includes a chapter discussing India's rise to becoming the world's fifth-largest economy, surpassing the UK.

"I think most of us relish that," he said, adding, "When we become the third largest economy and we overtake Japan and Germany, I don't think we will enjoy that much." 

The Union minister emphasised the significance of Indo-British collaboration in sectors such as aviation and telecommunications, asserting their relevance in comprehending the present dynamics of the bilateral relationship between India and the UK.

He highlighted that the Indian-origin community in the UK has played a substantial role in shaping and defining India's association with the UK, surpassing the impact typically attributed to diasporas in other regions.

Expressing optimism, he stated, "I hope the India-UK free trade agreement materialises."

"The book covers several centuries of India-UK relationship, India’s colonial past, her confident resurgence and the current journey through the Amrit Kaal," Puri posted on X after the book launch.

During a panel discussion about the book, the author, Tandon, addressed a chapter focusing on the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. He pointed out that various figures, from the Queen to the British Prime Minister, have expressed regret over the incident, yet no official apology has been issued.

Tandon questioned whether this absence of apology is related to the British system, contemplating whether apologies are discouraged due to potential compensation implications.