Book Review: The forgotten Gandhi and why he should be remembered

Title: Feroze Gandhi – the Forgotten Gandhi; Author: Bertil Falk; Publisher: Roli Books; Pages: 320; Price: Rs 695
He was a “VIP” in independent India, not because he was son-in-law of the Prime Minister (while his wife and son would go on to hold the post and a daughter-in-law be offered it), but because he was a lawmaker always ready to pin down his own party’s government for any wrong-doing. But Feroze Gandhi’s story is virtually forgotten or unknown, attracting scandals and conspiracy theories instead of serving as an example for democracy.
“He was a unique, real VIP, which stands here for a Very Investigating Parliamentarian,” says veteran Swedish journalist and author Bertil Falk, who set out to remedy this deficiency in the narrative of 20th century Indian history, covering both its freedom struggle as well as the opportunities and challenges in the first decade and more.
At most, Feroze Gandhi has two biographies, and while he is referenced in many more dealing with the period, much of this is not very complimentary and a bit too much from rumours/hearsay or personal attacks, especially those by the likes of Jawaharlal Nehru’s ex-aide M.O. Mathai.
But this work presents him in a more balanced light.
In these pages, he comes across as a man of many parts — a prankster, an indomitable freedom fighter, blessed with a fine hand at mechanical matters as well as a green thumb, having a thorough knowledge of the Bhagavad Gita, egalitarian, democrat and crusader for press freedom, but as much as a founding father of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty as Motilal and Jawaharlal, though Falk says it is doubtful whether he would have liked this distinction.
On the other hand, he did not “always show the world’s best judgement”, displayed bitterness, an inferiority complex and “an inability to take care of his health”, and was certainly a womaniser — though how much this had to do with his wife staying away is debatable. 
Beginning from Feroze Gandhi’s parents and his birth (the first controversy), the account spans his early years in Allahabad, his baptism into the freedom struggle, his growing closeness to the Nehru family, his desire to marry Indira, the period in Europe, his exploits during Quit India, his stint in journalism, his stellar role in parliament, the growing estrangement from his wife, his death and his legacy.
Alongside there are insights into figures, known and less-known — vivid examples of how Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru, despite their preoccupations, always had time and inclination to look into problems and issues of individuals and how the latter never tried to misuse his power even against those who were slandering him. Then there is a celebrated Hindu scholar who sought to refashion Hindu wedding rites.
On the flip side, the views of Indira Gandhi and her short-lived successor Morarji Desai on education for the common people are scarcely believable.