Remembering a legacy of peace: The enduring influence of Badshah Khan

By Bharat Dogra*

In a world increasingly fraught with conflict and the looming threat of war, those who champion the cause of peace find themselves in challenging times. Yet, amidst this turmoil, it becomes vital to reflect on the individuals whose unwavering commitment to peace with justice serves as a beacon of hope. One such luminary is Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, affectionately known as Badshah Khan or "King of the People."

While his title implies authority, his reign was one of love and compassion rather than dominance. He is remembered for his profound impact on non-violent resistance and his relentless pursuit of justice and peace. Born among the Pathans and Pakhtoons near the border of Pakistan and Afghanistan, Badshah Khan dedicated himself to uplift these communities, often labeled as violent and revengeful.

Through tireless efforts, he advocated love and peace, cultivating a cadre of peaceful resisters who bravely opposed British colonial rule without resorting to violence. Their moral fortitude was so formidable that soldiers often hesitated to fire upon these unarmed freedom fighters.

Mahatma Gandhi, deeply moved by this aspect of the freedom struggle, regarded visiting Badshah Khan’s followers as a spiritual journey. Though Badshah Khan looked up to Gandhi as a mentor, Gandhi also found inspiration in his dedication to peace.

The legacy of the Indian freedom movement transcends national borders, carrying significant implications for all of South Asia. Among its many triumphs was the consensus reached by powerful leaders, representing diverse faiths, on the essential nature of inter-faith harmony. Figures such as Gandhi, Badshah Khan, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Maulana Azad were instrumental in promoting this vital cause, creating a much-needed foundation for stability and prosperity in the region.

While some leaders maintained a secular position and distanced themselves from religion, Gandhi recognized the importance of spirituality in fostering social objectives. He emphasized Hindu-Muslim unity as crucial for national progress, with Badshah Khan standing as a key ally in this endeavor. Together, they established the Congress party as an inclusive political entity, fortifying connections between religious communities.

Badshah Khan, known as the Frontier Gandhi, led the Khudai Khidmatgars (Servants of God), composed predominantly of Pashtuns. Despite societal perceptions of violence, these volunteers epitomized the essence of non-violent resistance, illustrating extraordinary courage in their fight against colonial injustices. Their commitment to safeguard minorities, such as Hindus and Sikhs, was emblematic of their harmonious principles.

Throughout the freedom struggle, instances of inter-faith cooperation flourished, with leaders like Maulana Azad articulating Islamic interpretations that echoed the values of peace and unity.

However, colonial powers perceived this solidarity as a threat and sought to promote sectarian leaders, exacerbating religious divisions that ultimately led to the tragic partition of India.

Despite his heartbreak over the ensuing violence, Gandhi relentlessly pursued peace, navigating conflict zones and advocating for harmony until his assassination in 1948. His commitment to inter-faith understanding, cultivated through dialogues on spirituality and mutual respect, remained influential. Although Gandhi's vision suffered disruption due to external forces, it did not diminish the impact of his lifelong dedication to promoting peace. He urged individuals to view religion as a path to understanding rather than a source of division.

Badshah Khan embodied Gandhi's teachings long after the Mahatma's death, continuing to inspire millions with his messages of peace and social justice, even under challenging conditions in Pakistan. The invitation from Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to address Parliament in his later years reflected the nation's enduring appreciation for his contributions. His speeches upheld the principles of inter-faith harmony alongside social justice, prioritizing kindness over bitterness, even after years of imprisonment.

The legacy of such visionary leaders calls upon the current generation to diligently work toward a South Asia founded on the ideals of inter-faith harmony and socio-economic justice.

---

*Honorary convener of the Campaign to Save Earth Now. Books: 'Planet in Peril', 'Protecting Earth for Children', and 'When the Two Streams Met' which discusses the freedom movement

Comments

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

The Vande Mataram debate and the politics of manufactured controversy

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The recent Vande Mataram debate in Parliament was never meant to foster genuine dialogue. Each political party spoke past the other, addressing its own constituency, ensuring that clips went viral rather than contributing to meaningful deliberation. The objective was clear: to construct a Hindutva narrative ahead of the Bengal elections. Predictably, the Lok Sabha will likely expunge the opposition’s “controversial” remarks while retaining blatant inaccuracies voiced by ministers and ruling-party members. The BJP has mastered the art of inserting distortions into parliamentary records to provide them with a veneer of historical legitimacy.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

Epic war against caste system is constitutional responsibility of elected government

Edited by well-known Gujarat Dalit rights leader Martin Macwan, the book, “Bhed-Bharat: An Account of Injustice and Atrocities on Dalits and Adivasis (2014-18)” (available in English and Gujarati*) is a selection of news articles on Dalits and Adivasis (2014-2018) published by Dalit Shakti Prakashan, Ahmedabad. Preface to the book, in which Macwan seeks to answer key questions on why the book is needed today: *** The thought of compiling a book on atrocities on Dalits and thus present an overall Indian picture had occurred to me a long time ago. Absence of such a comprehensive picture is a major reason for a weak social and political consciousness among Dalits as well as non-Dalits. But gradually the idea took a different form. I found that lay readers don’t understand numbers and don’t like to read well-researched articles. The best way to reach out to them was storytelling. As I started writing in Gujarati and sharing the idea of the book with my friends, it occurred to me that while...

The cost of being Indian: How inequality and market logic redefine rights

By Vikas Gupta We, the people of India, are engaged in a daily tryst—read: struggle—for basic human rights. For the seemingly well-to-do, the wish list includes constant water supply, clean air, safe roads, punctual public transportation, and crime-free neighbourhoods. For those further down the ladder, the struggle is starker: food that fills the stomach, water that doesn’t sicken, medicines that don’t kill, houses that don’t flood, habitats at safe distances from polluted streams or garbage piles, and exploitation-free environments in the public institutions they are compelled to navigate.

New RTI draft rules inspired by citizen-unfriendly, overtly bureaucratic approach

By Venkatesh Nayak* The Department of Personnel and Training , Government of India has invited comments on a new set of Draft Rules (available in English only) to implement The Right to Information Act, 2005 . The RTI Rules were last amended in 2012 after a long period of consultation with various stakeholders. The Government’s move to put the draft RTI Rules out for people’s comments and suggestions for change is a welcome continuation of the tradition of public consultation. Positive aspects of the Draft RTI Rules While 60-65% of the Draft RTI Rules repeat the content of the 2012 RTI Rules, some new aspects deserve appreciation as they clarify the manner of implementation of key provisions of the RTI Act. These are: Provisions for dealing with non-compliance of the orders and directives of the Central Information Commission (CIC) by public authorities- this was missing in the 2012 RTI Rules. Non-compliance is increasingly becoming a major problem- two of my non-compliance cases are...

Proposals for Babri Masjid, Ram Temple spark fears of polarisation before West Bengal polls

By A Representative A political debate has emerged in West Bengal following recent announcements about plans for new religious structures in Murshidabad district, including a proposed mosque to be named Babri Masjid and a separate announcement by a BJP leader regarding the construction of a Ram temple in another location within Behrampur.

Search This Blog