WBCS.LIVE practice question

Who ridiculed Gandhi as 'seditious fakir'?

Solve this multiple-choice question and check the correct answer with its explanation below.

Answer options

  1. Winston Churchill
  2. Ramsay MacDonald
  3. Lord Irwin
  4. Cripps

Correct answer and explanation

Correct answer: Winston Churchill

Explanation: Winston Churchill ridiculed Mahatma Gandhi as a 'seditious fakir' during the freedom struggle, reflecting the British elite’s disdain for Indian nationalism. 📚 Other Information: ▪️ Churchill made the remark in 1931, when Gandhi visited London for the Second Round Table Conference. ▪️ The term 'seditious fakir' was meant to mock Gandhi’s simple attire and political influence. ▪️ Churchill opposed any move granting self-governance to Indians. ▪️ He was a staunch imperialist who viewed the British Empire as a civilising force. ▪️ The comment reflected racial arrogance and colonial prejudice. ▪️ Gandhi’s simplicity, however, became a symbol of resistance and moral strength. ▪️ The incident revealed the contrast between Gandhi’s humility and British arrogance. ▪️ It later became an example of how moral power triumphed over political might.