Gandhi had an affair with a man???

[wandering]

http://www.bild.de/news/ausland/indien/gandhi-liebte-deutschen-architekten-17124870.bild.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/books/review/book-review-great-soul-mahatma-gandhi-and-his-struggle-with-india-by-joseph-lelyveld.html

The first link says gandhi had an affair with a man. His name is Hermann Kallenbach(jewish german). No information about this in the second link.

After few years in europe and after playing with gays & lesbians(just table tennis), it was not really shocking for me. But i cant justify as well.

But in the last sentence, it says he requested the women helpers to sleep with him naked!!!

Any insights?? Did you ever had these allegations before.

[hope4best]

This is aboslutely denigrating to the one of the greatest, if not the greatest, soul to have lived on this planet.

I would request you to remove this post and stop spreading the rumour started by someone who's trying to malign the character of such a great man.

[Sarkar07]

This is aboslutely denigrating to the one of the greatest, if not the greatest, soul to have lived on this planet.

I would request you to remove this post and stop spreading the rumour started by someone who's trying to malign the character of such a great man.

How is it denigrating? For he is accused of "having an affair" with a man or for being gay? Why is that denigrating?

I do not know if it is a rumor or not, but there is no point in trying to suppress freedom of expression in order to protect someone's reputation, be it Gandhi or anyone else. One can debate on whether the said contention can be true or not.

PS: OP, the first link in German (?) - not much use to anyone. I browsed through the second and it does not mention anything about the alleged affair.

[Desi]

This is aboslutely denigrating to the one of the greatest, if not the greatest, soul to have lived on this planet.

I have the greatest respect for Gandhi, but what is wrong in being Gay, Bi or having experimented with any of this if he so wanted? Nothing disreputable about this.

As to whether the claim is factual or not, I do not know.

[boca]

I have read his articles from South African days. He did campaign with the Britishers to not consider Indians on par with the South African natives (it was common to use the now derogatory term, Kaffir, those days). He talked about "purity of race", etc. in his article. He wrote later that he regretted his position from his younger days and that he wasn't perfect.

I read that the Bambatha rebellion was a turning point in his life. From campaigning the Britishers to recruit local Indians into the army, to later lament that it was "No war, but a man hunt" after witnessing the massacre of the natives. Sort of an Asoka moment, I presume.

[VS007]

I have the greatest respect for Gandhi, but what is wrong in being Gay, Bi or having experimented with any of this if he so wanted? Nothing disreputable about this.

My sentiments exactly!! Was grappling with words which you put it succinctly!

I will also add having affairs which is strictly between him and his spouse. Second we should look at the policies, not from a sexual angle of all the leaders to judge them.

[okemos]

http://www.bild.de/news/ausland/indien/gandhi-liebte-deutschen-architekten-17124870.bild.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/27/books/review/book-review-great-soul-mahatma-gandhi-and-his-struggle-with-india-by-joseph-lelyveld.html

The first link says gandhi had an affair with a man. His name is Hermann Kallenbach(jewish german). No information about this in the second link.

After few years in europe and after playing with gays & lesbians(just table tennis), it was not really shocking for me. But i cant justify as well.

But in the last sentence, it says he requested the women helpers to sleep with him naked!!!

Any insights?? Did you ever had these allegations before.

I was shocked to read your post. I did little research in order to refute your claim but unfortunately ended up with this link.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4048776,00.html

I learnt that even Gandhi's biography on numerous instance, mentioned that this guy to be his soulmate.

Now my question to OP: What is your point in bringing this issue now? What are you trying to achieve?

[okonomi]

This is aboslutely denigrating ......

:)) come now...nothing of that sort ..if someone is gay or sometimes Bi......Someday we will become tolerant and mature enough to accept national leaders who can be gay or bi or whatever in their private lives. I didn't know any of the stuff that #1 posted....but if gandhi had those experiences and talked about them in his own writings...heck...I like him all the more....after all, he was the one who said you speak the truth....no matter what..., right ?

My kids were shocked when they learned how they were made and where they came from !! Eventually they got over it....and now :)) ....they are eager to go ahead and do the same things....:)) Relax and be happy.

[boca]

I wonder when sexual preferences became either morally or religiously disparaging.

[oasis138]

We must be seriously running out of topics to discuss.