Question:
Who said these words on the death of Mahatma Gandhi – “We have learned our lesson at a very high price. Is there anyone among us who would refuse to carry on Gandhi’s mission after his death. Hindustan is have to unite and fight against that terrible poison of communalism, which has taken away from us the greatest man of our times”.
(A) J.L. Nehru
(B) Vallabhbhai Patel
(C) Madan Mohan Malaviya
(D) Sarojini Naidu
(B) Vallabhbhai Patel
These poignant words were spoken by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. He delivered this message in a broadcast to the nation on the evening of January 30, 1948, just hours after Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination.
His speech was a heartfelt appeal to the nation to reject the communal hatred that led to the tragedy and to unite in carrying forward Gandhi’s mission of peace and harmony.
Other Key Figures
- (A) J.L. Nehru: On the same evening, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru gave his own famous and emotional tribute to the nation, beginning with the iconic words, “The light has gone out of our lives, and there is darkness everywhere.”
- (C) Madan Mohan Malaviya: He was a prominent nationalist leader and educator, but he had passed away in 1946, two years before Gandhi’s assassination.
- (D) Sarojini Naidu: A close associate of Gandhi, she also paid rich tributes, but this specific quote is not attributed to her.