Partition: Why we should never forget to the spirit of Gandhi (From Asian Image)

Partition: Why we should never forget to the spirit of Gandhi

10:32am Monday 13th August 2007 in News features By Asian Image reporter

Madhusudan Dave was a College Student aged 19 and living in Ahmadabad in 1947.

He was involved in anti-British demonstrations as a teenager and has the scars to prove it.

"When Gandhi Jee was arrested in 1942 I joined thousands to demonstrate agianst British occupation. British soldiers beat me and others. I did want to fight back but that would have gone against what Gandhi taught us all. Many will know Gandhi founded the Satyagraha Ashram on the outskirts of Ahmedabad and because of this many leaders such as Moullana Desai and Nehru would visit the area.

We were told by Gandhi when he left to go on his protest marches that he would return with a free India. But when he did we said - We are free but now divided.' I did not agree with the partition but like others I rejoiced at the independence we gained from the British.

As one nation though we were stronger. Before the partition I remember we used to all eat, live and celebrate as one but that feeling has gone. We should never ever forget the principles of Gandhi."