Dear Professor Terchek,

Recently my librarian forwarded a message to me that included your review of my book, Gandhi: Behind the Mask of Divinity . Here is your review:

Gandhi was a controversial figure in his lifetime, and remains so today. Some of the best books on Gandhi take into account both his accomplishments and his failures, not hesitating to call him to task for his shortcomings and miscalculations. For career military officer Singh, Gandhi's character and record are dark and troublesome. He finds his subject a racist, "macho," a propagandist, beholden to special interests, a liar, a "superb manipulator," a "witch doctor of the worst kind," the "most bribable of all Congress Party leaders," and the list goes on.

The book lacks balance and refuses to acknowledge that people can grow and develop, learn from mistakes, and try to move forward. Singh blames Gandhi for some of the most serious problems visiting India today and ignores the fact that India is not the product of any single person. Moreover, modern India is about as far as one can get from Gandhi's vision of a village society, direct democracy, agrarian economy, communal tolerance, and egalitarianism. Summing Up: Not recommended. Reviewed by R. J. Terchek. Copyright ©American Library Association, used with permission. Appeared in: CHOICE Distributed by Syndetic Solutions

1.   Since you didn't even try to refute, therefore it appears to me that you agree with the central premise of my book: Gandhi being a racist. It also appears that you agreed with the other Gandhian qualities that you stated: "macho," a propagandist, beholden to special interests, a liar, a "superb manipulator," a "witch doctor of the worst kind," the "most bribable of all Congress Party leaders". The list goes on. I cannot conclude anything other than the fact that you agree with my research otherwise you would have presented facts to refute my arguments.

2.   You leave an impression as if there is an extensive literature on Gandhi that is critical of him similar to my research. Professor I am at loss and could you point me to the available literature that has critically researched Gandhi? Any references will be appreciated.

3.   Your comments on my book surprise me: "The book lacks balance and refuses to acknowledge that people can grow and develop, learn from mistakes, and try to move forward." I hope you had read Gandhi: Behind the Mask of Divinity in its entirety before making this comment. I urge you to read Part 5 of the book, which is devoted exclusively to answering your criticism. Moreover, how do you balance a critical book and with what?

For example, should I balance racism with non-racism just to make my critics happy in spite of the evidence that supports my arguments? In my book I have traced Gandhi's dirty activities till his last days. If he had grown and developed for the good I would have certainly brought it up.

4.   You wrote, "Moreover, modern India is about as far as one can get from Gandhi's vision of a village society, direct democracy, agrarian economy, communal tolerance, and egalitarianism." Here I must disagree with you.

In conclusion it does not speak well of a professor not to recommended Gandhi: Behind the Mask of Divinity to the readers, perhaps it is the truth that sometimes makes people uncomfortable. As a member of the American academia I hope that you will encourage other informed opinions even if they are different from your own views. Finally, I invite you to an open debate on Gandhi, and if you are willing we can have our discussion published on SikhSpectrum.com for everyone to read. Otherwise, I am willing to debate you at any place of your choice.

With best regards,

G.B. Singh


Copyright ©2005 G.B. Singh. About the author