Abdul Ghaffar Khan: More than just a Frontier Gandhi

Abstract

Abdul Ghaffar Khan and Mahatma Gandhi were two personalities integral to the politics of the subcontinent preceding and in the lead up to Partition. Both of them shared an ideological overlap pertaining to the use of non-violence to attain their goals and in the process, they were able to convey this message to their followers. Their comradeship demonstrated unity in the face of division and posed a challenge to the status quo. However, despite these similarities, both should be recognized as two separate individuals rather than one being subsumed under the other or being presented merely as a frontier version. This paper argues that Ghaffar Khan’s legacy has been unjustly subsumed under the narrative of Mahatma Gandhi and the mainstream Indian National Congress, thereby downplaying his grassroots efforts and calling for a recognition of his distinct vision.