Gandhi's Khilafat Decision: Fostering Hindu-Muslim Unity

Mahatma Gandhi's involvement in the Khilafat Issue was a significant strategic move in India's struggle for independence. The question asks for the primary reason behind his decision.

Understanding the Khilafat Movement

The Khilafat Movement emerged after World War I. Indian Muslims were concerned about the future of the Ottoman Empire and the position of the Caliph (the religious head of Sunni Muslims), fearing the British government would dismantle it. They sought Gandhi's support to pressure the British government to protect the Caliphate.

Gandhi's Strategic Rationale

Gandhi viewed the Khilafat Movement as a golden opportunity to achieve a crucial objective: Hindu-Muslim unity. His reasoning was multifaceted:

• Nationalist Unity: Gandhi believed that India's strength against British rule lay in the combined force of all its communities. He saw the religious sentiments of Muslims regarding the Caliphate as a potential common ground to unite Hindus and Muslims politically.
• Reciprocity: By supporting the Muslims on an issue they held dear (Khilafat), Gandhi hoped Hindus would feel a sense of solidarity and, in turn, wholeheartedly support the larger Indian independence movement, including the call for Swaraj (self-rule).
• Non-Cooperation Strategy: Supporting the Khilafat cause allowed Gandhi to launch the Non-Cooperation Movement, a nationwide campaign against British rule that aimed to gain mass participation across different religious and social groups.

Analysis of Options

Let's examine the given options in light of this historical context:

• Option 1: To bring more unity among Hindus and Muslims. This aligns perfectly with Gandhi's primary strategic goal. He saw the Khilafat issue as a means to bridge the communal divide and build a united front against the British.
• Option 2: To bring more unity among Christians and Muslims. The Khilafat issue primarily concerned Muslims and their relationship with the British government, not Christians in India.
• Option 3: To bring more unity among Hindus and Christians. While Gandhi sought unity among all Indians, the Khilafat issue was specifically a Muslim concern and did not directly involve fostering unity between Hindus and Christians.
• Option 4: None of these. This option is incorrect because bringing Hindu-Muslim unity was indeed the central strategic reason for Gandhi's support.

Therefore, the main reason behind Mahatma Gandhi's decision to support the Khilafat Issue was to foster greater unity between the Hindu and Muslim communities, strengthening the collective struggle for Indian independence.