'So there's a reason why Gandhi writes the way he does to Hitler,' Lal, who is a professor at the University of California and has done extensive research on Gandhi, told DW. Of Gandhi addressing Hitler as 'Dear Friend,' Lal pointed to Gandhi's conviction that 'no human being is a monster' - not even Hitler - even though 'a person may commit monstrous acts.' Various sources, including Indian historian Vinay Lal and US political scientist Kelly Rae Kraemer, have confirmed this. Hitler never received the letters because the British colonial administration prevented them from being delivered. Rather, Gandhi implores Hitler in his first letter not to start a war, and in his second letter, when World War II had already begun, to strive for peace. It is true and well-documented that Gandhi wrote letters to Hitler: one was written on July 23, 1939, and the other on December 24, 1940.īut the letters in no way suggest that Gandhi and Hitler were friends. Letters written by Gandhi to Hitler, addressing him as 'Dear Friend' and ending with 'Your sincere friend,' are referenced as proof of the friendship. Was Gandhi friends with Adolf Hitler?Ĭlaim: There's a myth circulating on the internet that Mahatma Gandhi and German dictator Adolf Hitler were friends. But his attitudes toward some issues like sexuality and race have come under scrutiny. Gandhi is still deeply revered worldwide, especially for his philosophy of nonviolence. Almost six months after India gained its independence in August 1947, Gandhi, 78 years old at the time, was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic. Gandhi - better known as 'Mahatma' ('great soul' in English) - was one of the leaders of India's struggle for freedom from British colonial rule. January 30 marks the 75th anniversary of the assassination of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

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