Consider the following statement :
“India would be far more reliable as a base for operations. Moreover the prospect of a settlement will be greatly enhanced by the disappearance of Gandhi, who had for years torpedoed every attempt at a settlement.”
The above statement was made by the British in the context of
Kheda Satyagraha
Civil Disobedience Movement
Quit India Movement
Non-Cooperation Movement
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
The statement reflects a British perspective during a critical phase when Gandhi was actively opposing their policies and his removal was seen as beneficial for their strategic interests, particularly in the context of war. The Quit India Movement (1942) was launched during World War II, demanding the immediate end of British rule. The British government was heavily reliant on Indian resources and manpower for the war effort. Gandhi’s call for ‘Quit India’ and ‘Do or Die’ was a direct challenge that could jeopardize their war operations. The British responded by arresting Gandhi and other leaders, effectively making them ‘disappear’ from the public scene, hoping this would enhance the reliability of India as a base for operations and facilitate a ‘settlement’ (perhaps implying securing Indian cooperation or suppressing the movement). The other movements listed occurred earlier when the context of a World War and the specific phraseology about “reliability as a base for operations” and “settlement” linked to war efforts were not as prominent.
The quote points to a situation where Gandhi was seen as a major obstacle to British operations and settlements, likely in the context of securing Indian support during a war, which strongly aligns with the circumstances surrounding the Quit India Movement during World War II.