‘’It is quite clear that you are today the only person who can prevent a war which may reduce humanity to a savage state’’.
These are the words which were written by Gandhi to one of the cruellest dictators of all time. Gandhi and Hitler, two of the most famous personalities of the world which even though were contemporaries, but were miles apart when it came to their ideologies and actions, and had a fleeting interaction. This brief exchange, though ultimately unanswered, highlights a plea of peace and non-violence amidst a deadly war.
It was the year of 1939, and there was a sense of terror in all corners of the world, especially Europe. The world was trembling with the idea of another war like the one they witnessed a few years back. Germany started acting aggressively under Hitler and Europe was under great threat. Hitler’s annexation of Czechoslovakia and Australia was a defiance against internal agreements and the threat of annexation of Poland caused immense anxiety on the world stage. Leaders could not stop Hitler and things started to look worse. The decisions taken during this time would decide the fate of humanity. It was during such a tumultuous time that Gandhi decided to write his first letter to Hitler as a plea to stop the war and move towards peace in a world that was moving towards chaos and destruction.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi is a name that is known by people of all ages and all regions. This eminent personality from the 20th century has left an indelible mark in the world by his contribution towards non-violence and peace. Gandhi’s approach to protest was in contrast to the prevalent methods of protest at the time involving violence and aggression. He believed that an ‘eye for an eye makes the world blind’ and thus he fought for Indian independence through peaceful methods like fasting, boycotts and through movements like the civil disobedience or the satyagraha. His philosophies were in stark contrast to Adolf Hitler, who believed in aggression and was desperate in his pursuit of power. Hitler’s regime murdered around 6 million Jews in the Holocaust, driven by racist ideology. Hitler aimed to conquer Europe, eliminate the inferior races and establish German supremacy globally.
During the tumultuous year of 1939 when the world was heading towards chaos and destruction, a letter was written at the eve of the world war, in the hope of peace and light in one of the darkest moments of history
In this letter which was penned in July 1939, the author picks up a rather polite tone which hints at a delicate dance of diplomacy. The opening salutation of ‘dear friend’ was definitely a calculated approach, a deliberative attempt to breach the walls of hostility that surrounded Hitler. Gandhi’s tone and reluctance were not merely stylistic choices but rather it was a very carefully orchestrated appeal for peace. His tone had a delicate blend of urgency and being civil while his words reflected reluctance. Gandhi’s reluctance conveyed that the letter was not an impulsive act rather it was a careful consideration. Central to the letter was an emphasis on peace and non-violence or Satyagraha which was not a philosophical declaration but it was an offering to an alternative path of peace and tranquility. His acknowledgement of Hitler’s power was not a sign of weakness rather it was a calculated move. The absence of direct condemnation was also a deliberative strategy. Gandhi’s letter was a last-ditch effort, a plea before the world plunged into a state of deep darkness.
Despite his earnest appeal, his carefully crafted words fell upon deaf ears. There is no historical record of Hitler or any member of his inner circle acknowledging or responding to his plea. The letter was likely intercepted by the Nazi regime. Tragically, the events that unfolded a week after Gandhi’s letter spoke volumes of its impotence. On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland igniting the World War 2. The limited reach of this letter raises doubt regarding the involvement of the British government which happened to control the Indian postal system. But even if the letter reached Hitler, it was highly unlikely that it swayed Hitler.
Gandhi’s second letter to Hitler stood in stark contrast to the civil and extremely calm tone of the first letter. The second letter was written in December of 1940 when World War 2 was raging. Nazi Germany had invaded and occupied significant portions of Europe like Poland and France. The world was witnessing the horrors of the war and the future looked dark and uncertain. This was the time when Gandhi penned his second letter, his tone this time was direct and critical. The letter begins with a polite ‘dear friend’ but quickly moves on to direct criticism as Gandhi highlights his ‘monstrous acts’. Gandhi’s repeated use of ‘human dignity’ sought to remind Hitler of a value that he repeatedly violated. His word choice like ‘rape’ of Poland and ‘swallowing’ of Denmark was meant to highlight the brutality of his actions. Despite the horrifying realities of war, he reaffirms his unwavering faith in the ideal of non-violence, asking Hitler to leave the path of destruction and move towards peace.
The second letter like its predecessor received no response from Hitler or his regime. While Hitler remained unmoved, the letter particularly resonated to those who shared Gandhian ideals like peace and moral persuasion.
While these letters were written as a plea for peace, there are a lot of criticisms and debates regarding these letters. The most popular one was that Gandhi’s approach was overly simplistic and ineffective. Many argue that swaying Hitler, a cruel dictator by moral reasoning was naïve and unrealistic. Many critics also raise ethical questions like ‘Was it justifiable to engage with a monster who caused immense human suffering’ while others argue that Gandhi’s efforts aligned with his commitment in the power of words and moral persuasion.
Gandhi’s letters reflect a sense of hope and futility. Though it did not alter the course of history, it showcases his commitment towards peace and non-violence. The light of a candle might seem insignificant in the night but it still refuses the dark similarly Gandhi’s words in a world of chaos and destruction serve as a beam of hope and serve to remind us that even in the toughest times, the moral compass must not falter.