THE SECOND CRUCIFIXION Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre

 THE SECOND CRUCIFIXION

Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre

INTRODUCTION:

“The Second Crucifixion” is written by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. It deals with the death of Mahatma Gandhi, while the First Crucifixion is about the death of Jesus Christ. On 30^th January 1948, Gandhi was assassinated by Naturam Godse while on his arrival at Birla Bhavan.

ALL INDIA RADIO ANNOUNCING THE ASSASSINATION OF GANDHI:

The director of A.I.R anticipated the turn of events if Gandhi’s assassin was to be a Moslem. So, he ordered the programmes to continue as normal. He announced the death of Gandhi by a Hindu assassin only at six o’clock, nearly 40 minutes after the event, when sufficient security arrangements had been made in all places.

MOUNTBATTEN FELT THAT GANDHIJI WITH BUDDHA AND CHRIST:

On hearing the news of Gandhiji’s death, Louis Mountbatten rushed to Birla House where his body was kept. Gandhi’s look was full of repose and peaceful. He thought that Mahatma Gandhiji would be remembered in history on par with Buddha and Christ because he had sacrificed his life like them for the sake of mankind.

NATION RESPONDS TO GANDHIJI’S DEATH:

On hearing the news of Gandhiji’s death, the whole nation was filled with sorrow and silence. The streets of the cities of Bombay and Calcutta wore a deserted look. In Pakistan, millions of women shattered their baubles and trinkets to show their grief. In some places mobs tried to attack the buildings of Hindu mahasabha and R.S.S villagers started marching towards Delhi to mourn the leader.

MOUNTBATTEN WANTS TO CARRY HIS BODY:

Mountbatten planned to carry Gandhiji’s embalmed body in a special funeral train throughout the country. So that millions of people could have a last darshan of their leader. But pyarelal Nayar ended the idea by pointing out that Gandhiji had clearly wanted his body to be cremated within twenty-four hours of his death in accordance with Hindu tradition.

NEHRU AND PATEL RELUCTANT USE OF GANDHIJI’S CREMATION:

Mountbatten suggested engaging the military to organize and conduct the funeral procession, as there would be a very huge crowd. Though Nehru and Patel were reluctant Gandhiji was always against war and violence. Mountbatten convinced them of the military procession.

EVE OF GANDHIJI’S DEATH:

Filled with tears Nehru announced the death of Gandhiji on the radio. He said that “THE LIGHT HAD GONE OUT OF OUR LIVES” as the Bapu is dead. But he corrected himself and said that the light will be always seen as it represented the eternal truths of life guiding us in the right path.

HINDUSTAN HERALD PAYS ITS TRIBUTE TO GANDHIJI:

The most memorable tribute to Gandhiji was paid by the Hindustan herald. Its editorial page was left blank ringed by a black border. At its centre in bold letters there was a single paragraph which described the killing of Gandhiji as “A SECOND CRUCIFIXON in the history of the world, enacted on the same day-Friday-on which Jesus was killed”. Thus, Gandhiji’s death is a great loss to the whole world. He will remain in all our hearts as Mahatma forever.