Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela

Every man has two sides. But due to the manipulative skills seamy side of such politician and statesman hide into the background. In India too there is a mad competition going on to show love for Nelson Mandela and ignorant and sycophants are wrongly comparing him with Mahatma Gandhi.

Indians have the sick tendency to compare big names with extraordinary names, like Sachin Tendulkar as Bhagwan or superior to Sir Don Breadman, Shahrukh Khan as King Khan, Sania Mirza as Sansani or sensation, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as Missile Man of India.  Similarly even dead are being made as Supermen like Ambedkar, Periyar, Annadurai, Phule, Nehru etc..

Now after the death of Nelson Mandela same drama is going on in comparing Mandela with Mahatma Gandhi. Reality is this there is no similarity between Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.  There is hardly any parallel between the two greats.

1-Mahatma Gandhi was 100% loyal, true and committed to non-violence. There is not a single example of violence in Gandhi's life but the early life of Nelson Mandela was full of violence, killing, arson, crime, rioting, terrorism and what not. Mahatma Gandhi used Satyagraha as a weapon to get his demand met but Mandela used violence. Mahatma Gandhi wrote,"….and equally anxious to devote the maximum of time to the Satyagraha struggle and fit me, for it by cultivating purity".

M.K.Gandhi, ‘An Autobiography', Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad-14, Ch-XXVII, p-236.)

2-Similarly in Mahatma Gandhi's life, there was no sign of hate, racism and apartheid whereas Nelson Mandela's life was full of hate for white minorities and non-Africans. Even during his regime white minorities and non-Africans were brutally oppressed whereas Mahatma Gandhi gave special status to Muslims and minorities even he was instrumental in giving more special rights and powers to minorities than majority Hindus.

3-Personal life was Mahatma Gandhi was very clean and he renounced power and everything but Nelson Mandela was charged for corrupt practices too when he was the President of South Africa. He ruled like an aristocrat, no common touch, no self-discipline,no humility. Mahatma Gandhi himself said," The extreme forms in which my passion for self-help and simplicity expressed itself will be described in their proper place."

M.K.Gandhi, ‘An Autobiography', Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad-14, Ch-IX, p-154)

4-Similarly Mahatma Gandhi had only one wife and during last four decades of his life, he was an honest Brahmachari or practised celibacy but Nelson Mandela had three legal marriages and many relationships out of wedlock like Mughal rulers. Mahatma Gandhi himself wrote," I was anxious to observe Brahmacharya in thought, word and deed…"

M.K.Gandhi, ‘An Autobiography', Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad-14, Ch-XXVII, p-236.)

5- Nelson Mandela was very fond of drinking and non-vegetarian food whereas Mahatma Gandhi was totally vegetarian and no place for modern voluptuous life. Fast was the most favourite weapon for Gandhi. ," Yet in spite of my knowledge that my fast was bound to put pressure upon them, as in fact, it did, I Felt  I could not help it. The duty to undertake, it seemed to me to be clear."

M.K.Gandhi, ‘An Autobiography', Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad-14, Ch-XXII, p-318.)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            6- Mahatma Gandhi used jail as a place for self-study, penance etc., but for Nelson, Mandela jail was a place for enjoyment. In jail, he used to demand branded oils and perfumes and special drinks and meals.

7-Mahatma Gandhi never aspired for anything. He renounced power completely but Nelson Mandela was a power-hungry man and he used the entire tricks to come and retain power.

8- Mahatma Gandhi had no personal property when he died but Nelson Mandela amassed huge property and remained in possession till his death and left it to his siblings to fight for his wealth and property. 

9- Nelson Mandela was an opportunistic leader.  When he was the president of South Africa, he never supported Indian foreign policy but Mahatma Gandhi never changed his philosophies and shifted side. Throughout his life, South Africa remained second home to him. Mahatma Gandhi himself said," And yet they received me as though we had been age-long friends. It is no exaggeration but the literal truth to say that in this meeting with the peasants, I was face to face with God, Ahimsa and truth.". M.K.Gandhi, ‘An Autobiography', Navjivan Publishing House, Ahmedabad-14, Ch-XIV, p-302)

Such commitment and loyalty were nowhere to be seen in the life of Nelson Mandela.  

10-Nelson Mandela even got training from Israel's famous Mossad in guerrilla warfare, combat training, weaponry and sabotage training etc.. Mandela also used this training in his goal against Britishers and whites which resulted in a massive bloodbath. On the contrary, Mahatma Gandhi was miles away from such type of violent and insurgent activities. ( The Times of India, New Delhi, India; Tuesday, December 23, 2013, p-20.)

So, in the end, I want to say that by comparing Mahatma Gandhi with Nelson Mandela we are doing great injustice to our great Mahatma Gandhi and lowering his dignity and status. Mahatma Gandhi was a great human being and almost incapable of mistakes or he was a real saint. Mahatma Gandhi was a true Mahatma but Nelson Mandalay can be treated a fake Mahatma If we compare him with our Indian Mahatma of Sabarmati.