The Evolution of Addressing Mahatma Gandhi: From Rashtrapita to Bapu

Throughout the Indian independence movement, different individuals and groups addressed Mahatma Gandhi with various titles. One notable example is the term ldquo;Rashtrapita,rdquo; which was first used by Subhash Chandra Bose in a radio address in 1944. This article explores the journey of this term and other titles used to honor Gandhi during the independence struggle.

Subhash Chandra Bose and the Term ldquo;Rashtrapitardquo;

Subhash Chandra Bose, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, was the first to call Gandhi ldquo;Rashtrapitardquo; in a radio address in 1944. Bose used this term to express his admiration for Gandhi's significant contributions to the independence movement. It is important to note that this title later became widely associated with Gandhi in the context of India's struggle for freedom.

The British View and Their Influence

Interestingly, it was the British who first addressed Gandhi as ldquo;Rashtrapita.rdquo; The choice of this title by the British was likely to highlight the dichotomy in Gandhi's beliefs. The British were wary of Gandhi's desire for his followers to either die fighting for freedom or under British rule.

In a BBC documentary, it is explained that the British preferred Gandhi's followers to choose death by a British sword rather than the hands of the Muslim League. This attitude was reflected in their choice of the same term, which emphasized a sense of inevitability and irreplaceability. The term ldquo;do or dierdquo; that Gandhi popularized contrasted with the British contention that ldquo;kill or dierdquo; was more appropriate. This highlighted the differing views on the use of violence and the fight for independence.

The Suggestion and Use of ldquo;Rashtrapati Bhavanrdquo;

It is interesting to note that another significant title associated with Gandhi is the ldquo;Rashtrapati Bhavan.rdquo; The name for the President's House was suggested to the upcoming government of India by Sri C. Rajagopalachari, the first Indian and last Governor General of India. Rajagopalachari, who was well-versed in Sanskrit, suggested the name ldquo;Rashtrapati Bhavanrdquo; for the mansion he was occupying at that time in 1947.

The Respect and Diverse Acknowledgment

While Subhash Chandra Bose and Jawaharlal Nehru played pivotal roles in addressing Gandhi with various titles, it was the recognition from two great Bengalis, Rabindranath Tagore and Subhash Chandra Bose, that truly highlight the multifaceted nature of Gandhi's impact. Tagore, despite disapproving of Gandhi's call to students to join the freedom movement, referred to him as a ldquo;Mahatma.rdquo; Similarly, Bose, who held a differing ideology on the path to independence, referred to Gandhi as ldquo;Rashtrapitardquo; to honor his contributions and leadership.

Conclusion: A Recognition of Leadership

The titles ldquo;Rashtrapitardquo; and ldquo;Bapurdquo; both reflect the deep respect and admiration that Gandhi held in the hearts of his contemporaries. While the Indian government officially refers to Gandhi as the ldquo;Father of the Nation,rdquo; the historic use of these terms highlights the diverse and profound influence Gandhi had on the Indian independence movement.