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Ghana students say Gandhi was a ‘racist’
DURBAN: Some students and academics at the Ghana University have demanded the removal of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, saying he was “racist” against black people.
DURBAN: Some students and academics at the Ghana University have demanded the removal of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi, saying he was “racist” against black people.
The Gandhi statue, currently installed in the premises of the varsity, was gifted by President Pranab Mukherjee during his recent visit to Ghana.
The students and teachers argue that Gandhi’s reference to black Africans as “kaffir” in some of his early writings reflected his “racist mindset.”
But there have been voices which oppose the demand. The campaign has been led by Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo, former director of the Institute of African Studies.
The students and teachers have also launched an online petition, asking authorities to facilitate “the removal of the statue of Gandhi” at the earliest.
“How will the historian teach and explain that Gandhi was uncharitable in his attitude towards the black race and see that we’re glorifying him by erecting a statue on our campus?” wrote a professor . The campaigners have been raising slogans like “Gandhi Must Fall” and “Gandhi For Come Down.”
Ampofo is urging members of the University of Ghana Council to heed her petition, arguing among other things that, Gandhi was racist against black people and honouring him will set a wrong example for students, as per local media in Ghana.
Ocqauye, a professor of political science, said a decision to demolish the statue may impact Ghana-India relations.
“It will be most unnecessary, uncalled for and not in the supreme interest of Ghanians,” he said. The petitioners referred to Gandhi’s open letter to “The Natal Mercury” in 1894, saying he called black Africans as “kaffirs,” a derogatory term for black people.
