Going by different versions expressed in the net, I thought I should share some more information on Gandhi to Goanet.
Back ground information: Sonia Maino, after she got married to Rajiv Gandhi, when he was studying in England, got the new name as Sonia Gandhi. This Sonia Gandhi is not at all related to Mahatma Gandhi. Rather Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi have no blood relationship at all. Indira Nehru got married to one person by name Firoz Ghandy, and he was not a Parsi but a Muslim. After the marriage of Indira with Firoz also in England, both decided to adopt the surname Gandhi. And that's how Indira from that day was know as Indira Gandhi wife of Feroze Gandhi and her dynasty i.e. Gandhi dynasty started and is continuing till date. But many Goans are still under the impression that Indira Gandhi is hailing from Mahatma Gandhi roots. And this might be one of the causes of extending blind support to Gandhi family in power, while Mahatma Gandhi's family members are still without any recognition! Another Factual Reality: In a book titled Famous Trials of India by Justice G. D. Khosla who was one of the judges during the trial of Nathuram Godse, the said Justice Khosla writes in one of the chapter (on Nathuram Godse trial), saying "Had the audience in the court been converted into a jury, I have no doubt that they would have unanimously returned the verdict of Nathuram Godse is not GUILTY "This is what the pubic sympathy was for Nathuram Godse at the relevant time. A famous Indian Author who writes in English and is famous the world over for his writings, namely Colonel Manohar Malgaonkar, a retired Colonel of the Indian Army, also very much conversant with Goa having a book written on Goa, to which the cartoons for illustration have been drawn by the world famous Cartoonist of Goan origin Mr. Mario Miranda, writes in one of his novels, namely "the Men who killed Mahatma Gandhi", saying "During the famous fast unto death of Mahatma Gandhi in 1947 to compel the Government of India to disburse 55 Crores of rupees to Pakistan immediately after the Partition of India, Hindu refugees from Pakistan who were leaving in refugee camps in Delhi were seen shouting "GANDHI MARTA HAI TO MARNE DO". Although it is a novel, it has been based on meticulous field inquiries by the said author. This quotation by Colonel Manohar Malgaonkar also shows what the level of public hatred / sympathy towards Mahatma Gandhi was then. Incidentally, the said Col. Manohar Malgaokar was writing a regular column in Sunday edition of Navhind Times of Goa, for many years, till about three four years back. He is a landlord of a village called "Jagalbet" near Londa, on the road to Supa and Dandeli, and was a regular visitor to Goa. One who is interested in knowing more about factual realities prevailing at the relevant time and to know the other side of the story, should read the following books: (1) Gandhi Hatya ani Mi, in Marathi by Gopal Godse, brother of Nathuram Godse. The English version of this Book is "Gandhiji's Murder and After (this book brings out all the arguments and explanations given by Nathuram Godse during his trial in the court. The statements quoted in this book exactly matches with the one in Justice Khosla's book - Famous Trials of India); (2) 55 Kotiche Bali, in Marathi, its English Version being May It Please Your Honour. (In this book Godse writes that even when India was at a war with Pakistan over Kashmir issue, Gandhi's huger strike blackmailed the Government of India to give Pakistan the sum of Rupees 55 Crores. This sum was rightly denied to be given even by Sardar Vallabh bhai Patel. Later, as Sardar Patel predicted, that 55 Crores of Rupees were used by Pakistan to fight endless wars against India. The Hunger strike of Gandhi was literary proved to be a blackmailing tactics against India and was also considered as an act of disloyalty towards safeguarding the interest of the nation. It was also concluded by most Indians as an act trying to show that - I am above nation. This book also brings out arguments and explanations given by Nathuram Godse during his trial in the court). Both these books are authored by Gopal Godse and are running in 18th edition as of date. Without taking much space of Goa Net, I conclude saying, had it not for Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi combine, our India would have continued to be one single nation not bifurcated into India and Pakistan. This is because Nehru's weakness was taken advantage of by Lady Mountbatten who was then the Vice-Roy of India. Now whether bifurcation of India was good or otherwise is a different question. By bringing this reality before Goa Net I am in no way trying to tarnish the images of Mahatma Gandhi and Indira Gandhi's family, but only drawing attention to the other side of the story, so that readers with an analytical mind will be compelled to think. Best regards, Dr. U. G. Barad
