Why Gandhi Didn’t Get Nobel Prize?

Mahatma Gandhi  -  The father of Nation, who practiced Satyagraha and Non-violence was nominated for the Nobel prize award for five times through the years 1937, 1938, 1939, 1947 and a few days prior to his assassination in January, 1948.

During the first time of nomination in 1937, the adviser of selection committees was much critical about Gandhi saying that he is a great freedom fighter and loved by the masses but there are times when he behaves as a Christ and suddenly he acts like an ordinary politician.

During the International peace movement, Jacob Worm-Muller referred to Gandhi’s critics that he was most of the time pacifist and few of his non-violent campaigns’ would decline into terror and violence. He also pointed out the Non-cooperation movement of 1920-21 were a crowd in Chauri Chaura fired the police station and killed many cops. He also felt that Gandhi was more towards an Indian Nationalist and it is significantly clear that Gandhi struggled for the Indians in South Africa and not for the more suffering blacks. These were the contents in his report submitted to the selection panel.

In spite of being nominated for the Nobel Prize many times his name was shortlisted in 1947 which was just the second time and this was after Indian Independence. Among many others two prominent Indian Freedom fighters Govind Vallab Pant and B G Kher nominated Gandhi.

Jens Arup Seip (11 October 1905 – 5 September 1992), the adviser of Nobel prize committee had a different view and he was not much critical. But the Chairman of the selection panel Gunnar Jahn mentioned in his diary that “It’s undoubtedly true that Gandhi is a great person and an apostle for peace but we must keep in mind that he is primarily a patriot. He is also an excellent lawyer and not naive”.

When Gandhi was shortlisted for the third time in 1948 he was assassinated. This made the panel think seriously to honor him posthumously. Since because Gandhi was not given the Nobel prize in 1948 the award was not given to any living candidate as no one was suitable.

Mr Seip, during the last five months of his life wrote a report saying that “Gandhi had put his intense mark on political and ethical front which would remain as a typical standard for large number of people in both India and other nations. In this regard Gandhi is similar to the founder of various religions”.

According to the Nobel foundation laws at that time there was provision to award posthumously. But Gandhi was not a part of any organization and he left no property and also no will. So who should receive the Nobel Prize?

By not conferring the Nobel Prize to Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi who was later conferred the title of “Mahatma” by the world, the Nobel committee has become only poorer in its stature.