A Gandhi who is not Gandhian enough

Mahatma's grandson Gopal Krishna Gandhi rejects an offer to head a varsity founded by Gandhi, on grounds that he has not been following one Gandhian principle - 100% use of khadi, reports Rathin Das.

Mahatma Gandhi's grandson has turned down an offer to head a university founded by Gandhi, on the grounds that he has not been following one Gandhian principle — 100 per cent use of khadi — mandatory for anyone associated with the institution.

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Gopal Krishna Gandhi has written to Gujarat Vidyapith, saying he cannot become chancellor as he does not use khadi all the time. He is currently governor of West Bengal.

“I was greatly honoured by the offer and I even accepted it initially,” he told HT. “But on reading the university constitution I withdrew as I realised that I am not a 100 per cent khadi user.... I wear a lot of khadi but also other fabrics such as woollens and handlooms.”

Gujarat Vidyapith was founded in 1920 as an alternative to West-influenced education.

(Inputs by Nandini Guha in Kolkata)