Q.Explain the role of Mahatma Gandhi in reducing communal tension and violence which erupted in some parts of the country at the time of partition.

Mahatma Gandhi was deeply pained by the widespread communal violence and bloodshed that accompanied the Partition of India. He deliberately chose to forgo the independence celebrations in Delhi, dedicating himself instead to restoring peace and harmony in riot-torn regions.

He undertook fasts unto death, notably in Calcutta and later in Delhi, using his immense moral authority to appeal to the conscience of people and demand an immediate cessation of violence. Gandhi walked through affected areas, meeting people from all communities, urging them to embrace brotherhood and reject hatred. His unwavering commitment to non-violence and unity often had a significant calming effect, h …

The Partition of India in 1947, which divided British India into the independent nations of India and Pakistan, was accompanied by an unprecedented wave of communal violence. The announcement of Partition, driven by political disagreements and the 'Two-Nation Theory', ignited long-simmering tensions between Hindus and Muslims, leading to widespread massacres, forced migrations, and unspeakable atrocities across Punjab, Bengal, and other regions. Amidst this chaos, Mahatma Gandhi, deeply distressed by the breakdown of communal harmony, dedicated himself entirely to restoring peace, even as the nation celebrated its independence.

Gandhi's approach to reducing communal tension was rooted in his core philosophy of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (truth-force). He refused to participate in the Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 1947, choosing instead to be in riot-torn areas, believing that true freedom could not exist without communal amity. His presence in these volatile regions was not merely symbolic; he actively engaged with people, appealing to their conscience and urging them to embrace peace and brotherhood.

One of his most significant interventions occurred in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in August 1947. As the city teetered on the brink of a civil war between Hindus and Muslims, Gandhi moved into a Muslim-majority area, living in a dilapidated house, and began a fast unto death. His fast was a powerful moral weapon, aimed at shaming the perpetrators of violence and appealing to the humanity of all communities. The impact was immediate and profound. Leaders from both communities, fearing for Gandhi's life, came together, pledged to end the violence, and surrendered their weapons. This act of self-sacrifice led to a miraculous calm in Calcutta, earning him the title of a "one-man boundary force" from Lord Mountbatten.

Following his success in Calcutta, Gandhi moved to Delhi in September 1947, which had also become a hotbed of communal strife, with Hindus and Sikhs attacking Muslim refugees. Here, he again undertook a fast in January 1948, demanding an end to the violence, the protection of Muslims, and the fair treatment of Pakistan regarding its share of financial assets from British India. His conditions for breaking the fast included:

• An end to attacks on Muslim homes and mosques.
• Safe passage for Muslims travelling to Pakistan. …