India’s independence movement was a melting pot that had freedom fighters from contradictory and even conflicting backgrounds and ideologies. Substantiate with examples. (10 Marks, 150 Words) (GS-1 History)

Introduction:

The Indian independence movement united diverse groups—across religions, castes, classes, and regions—demonstrating the power of unity in diversity toward a common goal.

Body:Freedom Fighters and Their Diverse Ideologies:

• Violence vs. Non-Violence: Mahatma Gandhi championed nonviolent resistance, while Bhagat Singh and Subhas Chandra Bose advocated armed struggle against British rule.
• Joining vs. Opposing British Council: Gopal Krishna Gokhale and B.R. Ambedkar served in the British Viceroy’s council, while Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel opposed cooperation and faced imprisonment.
• Extremists vs. Moderates: Moderates like Gokhale trusted constitutional methods, while extremists like the Lal-Pal-Bal triumvirate and Aurobindo faced imprisonment for revolutionary tactics.
• Religious vs. Secularists: Jawaharlal Nehru envisioned a united secular India, while V.D. Savarkar and Muhammad Ali Jinnah pushed for Hindu-centric and Muslim-separate states, respectively.
• Noble vs. Suppressed Class: Industrialists like Ghanshyam Das Birla and Jamnalal Bajaj funded the struggle, while marginalized groups like Dalits and women demanded equal rights.
• Socialist vs. Capitalist: Nehru and Bose advocated socialism, while Rajagopalachari supported capitalism.
• Inside vs. Outside India: Subhas Chandra Bose raised an army abroad with Japan’s support, while Bhikaiji Cama and Shyamji Krishna Varma championed India’s cause overseas.

Conclusion:

India’s freedom fighters, driven by the sole aim of liberation, overcame diverse ideologies and backgrounds, uniting in their struggle against British rule despite personal risks and conflicting visions.