The Men Who Killed Gandhi

"The Men Who Killed Gandhi" by Manohar Malgonkar - asides to the sketch on assassination of Mahatama, the first chapter of the book reveals some interesting facts on Partition and how the key brand ambassadors of Hindu Mahasabha (the only political party) fell prey to Jinnah's formula on creating a new country-Pakistan. How weak leadership and postponing of the critical decisions can lead to crisis, violence impacting the lives of million is reflected in first 25 pages only. Nehru's comment " to the cutting off of the head to get rid of the headache" looks like a mockery to the helplessness of many refugees who where pry to the communal violence. It seemed that the crisis did not exist at all. Seems, if they had not allowed themselves to be held back by their own / Governer Generals ideology, the massacre of countless innocent people would certainly have been prevented, maybe the division also!! 

Below is the article from an old Newspaper cutting

Immediately after India won freedom, a meeting was organized to select the first General of Indian Army. Jawahar Lal Nehru was heading the meeting. Leaders and army officers were discussing to whom this responsibility should be given. In between the points, Nehru said: “I think we should appoint a British officer as the Chief of the Indian Army as we don’t have enough experience to lead the same.

Everybody supported Nehru because if the Prime Minister was suggesting something, how could they not agree?
But one of the Army officers abruptly said: “I have a point, Sir”
Nehry said, “Yes, you are free to speak”.
The army officer said: “You see, sir, we don’t have enough experience to lead a nation too, so shouldn’t we appoint a British person as first Prime Minister of India?” The meeting hall suddenly went quiet.
Then, Nehru said: “Are you ready to be the first Chief of the Indian Army?”
The Army officer got a golden chance to accept the offer, but he refused the same and said,” Sir, we have a very talented Army officer, my senior, Lt. General Cariappa, who is most deserving among all of us.”
The Army officer who raised his voice against the Minister was Lt General Nathu Singh Rathore, the first Lt General of Indian Army. That was the professionalism and character the military was made of and that’s how India survives against all odds.