Image: Mahatma Gandhi at a prayer meeting. Wikimedia Commons.

Hindu-Muslim relations were a recurring concern throughout Gandhi’s public life. He regarded communal cooperation as important to India’s political future and repeatedly intervened during periods of tension and violence.

Unity during the freedom movement

Gandhi supported cooperation between Hindu and Muslim political groups during the Khilafat and Non-Cooperation period. He believed a broad movement against colonial rule required participation across communities.

Public meetings and interfaith work

Gandhi frequently used prayer meetings, public speeches and visits to communities to promote communal harmony. His approach combined political appeals with personal engagement.

During communal violence

In the 1940s, Gandhi travelled to areas affected by communal violence, including Noakhali and Bihar. He urged communities to stop attacks and protect neighbours regardless of religion.

Partition and Delhi

After independence and Partition, Gandhi spent considerable time in areas experiencing communal tension. In Delhi, his final fast in January 1948 was connected with demands concerning communal peace and the protection of minorities.

A complex historical record

Gandhi’s approach to communal harmony should be studied through his speeches, letters and contemporary accounts, alongside the perspectives of other political leaders and communities.

The Gandhi Heritage Portal provides a large primary-source collection for examining Gandhi’s statements and correspondence. citeturn0search1turn0search2

Read NewsNationOnline’s Khilafat Movement feature and our Gandhi-Patel relationship article.

Imran Siddiqui

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