GANDHIAN PERSPECTIVE ON HINDU-MUSLIM UNITY WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GANDHI AND ALI BROTHERS – URDU PRESS AND PUBLIC OPINION IN MADRAS PRESIDENCY

Abstract

The Khilafat Movement, one of the biggest political mobilization of Muslims in India emerged in 1919, reached its height in 1920-21, and finally went into oblivion by 1924. The Khilafat movement in India was initiated during World War I by some Muslim leaders who were growing concerned over the fate of the Ottoman Empire, and the Caliph, the spiritual as well as the temporal head of the Muslim World . Mohamed Ali was the youngest of three brothers, Zulfigar, Shaukat and himself. When Turkey declared war against the Allies in 1914 Muslims in India were perturbed. The Indian Muslims were in a state of ferment since the outbreak of the First World War. The War had created a serious religious dilemma for them. In 1918 the Allies were riding on the wave of victory. Germany surrendered on November 11 and Turkey had capitulated on October 31. The Ottoman Empire was shattered. On 30th October Turkey was forced to sign an armistice at Mudros. Following its defeat at the hands of the Entente powers the unconditional surrender of Turkey followed in 11th November by a quick German capitulation, ended the First World War. In the changed circumstances Sultan Vahideddin Mehmed VI who had ascended the throne only few months earlier thought it prudent to revert to a policy of a total dependence on Britain. Mohandas Gandhi who had just joined the Indian Politics after his years in South Africa, got attracted by the courage of the Ali brothers displayed in challenging the colonial state. He also insisted upon seeing the two. A meeting was arranged and Gandhi met Mohamed Ali in 1915 over which he wrote ,’ It was a question of love at first sight between us.’ Their love bloomed into their association against the British Raj during the Non-Cooperation- Khilafat Movement, which made the imperial forces feel the full strength of Hindu-Muslim unity. Both of them developed a tremendous respect for each other. Understanding the relationship with Gandhi chronologically give a sense of how both of them worked on issues concerning minority politics. Historians have assigned importance either to the Kohat Riots of 1924 or the Nehru Report of 1928 among others as the major factor behind the growing bitterness between Gandhi and Ali Brothers. It also was not just the occurrence of many riots and the failing health condition of Mohamed Ali. On December 21,1928, the Ali Brother rejected the Nehru Report in the Khilafat Conference. This paper aims to give the importance of the relationship between Gandhi and Ali Brothers and it what way related to Indian Freedom Movement.