15. The Gandhian Hitler

This happened 25 years ago, at a boy’s hostel in Chandigarh’s Punjab University campus. 

Devinder Bhardwaj, a student of Gandhian studies, and his political science hostel mate Sanjeev Bragta were discussing Mahatma Gandhi and Adolf Hitler. 

The discussion soon became an angry argument and then suddenly deteriorated to fisticuffs. 

Gandhian Devinder was losing the argument and suddenly to bring an end to the discussion he took his friend and admirer of Adolf Hitler by surprise. 

He attacked with a fruit knife and seriously injured the budding fascist by sticking it into his midriff. 

But this is not the end of the story. 

In a true Gandhian style, the injured Hitler admirer Sanjay Bragta refused to file any complaint with the police or the University administration. 

And lo what he said: “Bhardwaj was still his friend and the stabbing was not intentional.”

They were two innocent students, unaware of the deep meaning of this incident.

It is not a stray incident, that I have recorded.

The above incident has to be taken with a pinch of salt.

But it has sapped the much-publicised non-violence theory which might be right but also raises questions how it is practiced and the character of its practitioner.

After all, to be a part of history books one needs such nice ideas – ideas that binds a huge population, together. 

And a practitioner who uses it as a tool knows it well.

What does it reflect in a broader sense?

I’ve a lot to say but wouldn’t say.