Gandhi's girls - sex scandal

Washington Monthly, July-August, 1987 by Art Levine

Whatever the press's ultimate responsibility, the longstanding doubts over Gandhi's character left India's nationalist movement in disarray. Behind the scenes, some Congress party operatives were privately relieved. "We feel betrayed,' said one. "Gandhi promised he would remain celibate, at least until India achieved independence. Now that he's gone, at least we can move on.'

Ultimately, Gandhi's fate hinged on those questions of character, rather than any moral revulsion. In her essay "Gandhi's Women Problem, Women's Gandhi Problem,' Sukai Lessardai voiced the concerns of many women wary of Gandhi's apparent philandering. "Whether or not he was celibate, his need to prove his spiritual manhood by lying with five naked women is an affront to the dignity and equality of women everywhere.' And as Willmed Schneidermanai of the Indian Enterprise Institute points out, "It's not so much the fact that he slept with these women or regularly indulged in enemas; it's that he showed such bad judgment in doing so. I think this raises serious questions about Gandhi's self-discipline and insensitivity to the appearances of impropriety --and finally about Gandhi's ability to lead a successful non-violent movement.'

Now the question is: Whither India? In his stead, there are other leaders who could possibly win independence for India--the Moslem Jinnah, or even Vallabhaai Patel--but neither has the stature and name recognition of a Gandhi. Non-violent disobedience seems a memory now. And nationalism itself is on the backburner. As the likely next Viceroy of the Raj, Lord Louis Mountbatten, points out, "If an entire nation could be led down the primrose path by this charlatan and hypocrite, the Indian people are not yet ready for independence.' Wise heads in India and Britain agreed, and with Gandhi's political demise, a tumultuous chapter in India's history closes, and calmer times lie ahead.

Photo: More than disciples?: Gandhi and two "aides'

Photo: Character flaw?: Gandhi stalked by questions about his judgment-- and candor