When the Mahatma Turned Sexist: What Our History Books Do Not Tell

Growing up studying authentic literature that goes beyond "prescribed syllabus", one could, over the years, have come to the realisation that our history textbooks have been inefficient storytellers of an eventful past. And rightly so, owing to how the scribes of these records have portrayed historic heroes across printed pages meant for young minds: as figures and personalities who fought for the righteous causes they stood for; voicing their dissent against oppressive systems, and keeping astray of all the vices  known to humanity. Their actions which remarkably shaped the fate of the society, do inspire the budding learner to follow a path that would ultimately lead to the betterment of the society as a whole. What these syllabus- bound records fail to incite, though, is the will to question the beliefs upheld by the heroes of our past by leaving out those traits of our great leaders which could possibly blight their spotless character.

Take, for instance, the man we call the father of our nation. The Mahatma. 

An article published in The Telegraph* ahead of the alleged mass molestation in Bengaluru on New Year's Eve brings to light a little known aspect of the revered leader's character, the murmurs of which have often risen amidst the public; pretty much unlike the arguments raised above the whispers by the 11 Bengali women mentioned in the aforesaid article, which narrates how, on being asked by a Punjabi girl as to the manner in which girls could apply the principle of ahimsa to save themselves from being teased and harassed by young men, Gandhi had "spoilt his case by launching an unprovoked attack on the dress code of the modern woman." 

The Mahatma did remedy the problem in his answer, urging the victims to name and shame the culprits, and asking men of good character to come down heavy upon the defaulters among their own host, stating that "young men, as a class, should be jealous of their reputation and deal with every case of impropriety occurring among their mates”. Moreover, Gandhi also accepted the fact that women should engage in learning ordinary self- defence techniques to defend themselves from the unruly herd of perverted men.

But where he went wrong was when he dealt the case a sexist blow by expressing his disapproval towards how the modern woman dresses up, writing, “I have a fear that the modern girl loves to be Juliet to half a dozen Romeos. She loves adventure. My correspondent seems to represent the unusual type. The modern girl dresses not to protect herself from wind, rain and sun but to attract attention. She improves upon nature by painting herself and looking extraordinary. The non-violent way is not for such girls.”

For all the evil that young men indulge in, it all comes down to a woman's apparel, even in the eyes of a revered Mahatma. 

However, what's truly inspiring about the whole incident is how a group of 11 Bengali women took on Gandhi for generalising the modern woman as an exhibitionist hungry for attention merely on the basis of the dress she wears. 

To counter Gandhi's remarks on the modern woman's outfits, these 11 women wrote that "it was not very inspiring," on the Mahatma's part to “put the whole slur upon the injured female who suffers most due to the malevolent social custom”, before further stating that “some may find modern girls’ dresses and deportments a bit different than they wish them to be, but to brand them as exhibitionistic generally is a positive insult to her sex as a whole. Strength of character and chaste behaviour are necessary not only for modern girls but for men as well. There may be a few girls playing Juliets to a dozen Romeos. But such cases presuppose the existence of half a dozen Romeos, moving around the streets in quest of a Juliet, thereby pointing out where the proper correction lies.”

Unfortunately, what plagued the Mahatma's mind when he laid his disapproval upon the modern woman, is something that plagues our nation today. Despite the number of times women have made it clear that their outfit is not in any way an invitation for lewd remarks and groping arms, our society has continued to stand firm upon its self- constructed belief of labelling all modern women who choose to dress up according to their wish as exhibitionists of skin who are always "asking for it." 




*the article mentioned here has been penned by noted historian and writer Ramachandra Guha, and is the source of the statements of Mahatma Gandhi and the Bengali women which are quoted herein.