For Gandhi and Tunku, independence is meaningless without the spirit of service

Much to the surprise of the people, both leaders - who shared common values and characteristics in their struggle for independence from the British Colonial rule - have demonstrated great interest and concern towards the well being of their people.

"During Gandhi's visit to the Indian state of Orissa, he insisted on meeting the lepers and that each poor leper be brought to him. He shook hands with them, patted their heads, and spoke words of comfort to them.

"Similarly, my uncle Tunku and his wife Sharifah Rodziah adopted two infants from leper parents, and every year he made it a point to send food to the lepers," recalled Tunku Sofiah Jewa, who is Tunku's paternal niece.

Tunku Sofiah Jewa said this in her pre-recorded speech in conjunction with the 152nd birthday anniversary of Gandhi, which is celebrated as the International Day of non-violence today (Oct 2). The transcript of her speech was made available to Bernama.

The event is jointly organised by the Indian High Commission in Malaysia, in collaboration with Malaysia-India Heritage Group, to forge mutual understanding on culture, history and heritage of both countries. The Malaysia-India Heritage Group was formed in 2018 under the stewardship of Prabhakaran S. Nair, with a view to explore overlapping areas of interest in the heritage of both Malaysia and India and to promote mutual appreciation of the timeless legacies shared in common between the people of the two countries.

The advocate and solicitor also drew some interesting parallels between her uncle and Gandhi, saying both were reluctant politicians. She elaborated that Gandhi kept out of politics after some years of active involvement with Congress, whereas Tunku kept on refusing offers to contest for the presidency of UMNO.

The accomplished writer, who has a number of law publications to her credit, also narrated an interesting story of her uncle on what made him change his mind about joining politics.

She said one day, her uncle Tunku, who was the then deputy public prosecutor, went to Kedah for a court case and heard voices sounding like that of his father Sultan Abdul Hamid calling out his name in the courtroom.

"After the case was over, Tunku went to his father's room in the old palace nearby, reclined on his father's rocking chair, and fell fast asleep. He then dreamt of his father.

"'Putra, bela lah rakyat' (Putra, look after the people). Tunku woke up then, but since he was very tired, he fell asleep again.

"And can you imagine whom he saw in his dream? It was none other than the greatest of Indian nationalists, Mahatma Gandhi and also the then Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

"The signal was clear for Tunku. He knew at once that, like it or not, he was destined to lead his people to freedom. Tunku became president of UMNO. And the rest, as they say, is history," she added.

She said on Oct 29, 1962, Tunku, being Malaya's first chief minister, paid homage to Gandhi at Rajghat (where Gandhi was cremated), by laying a wreath of honour.

"In Tunku's own words -- "Gandhi's name will be cherished not only by Indians but by all who love freedom. He (Gandhi) has been the fountain of our inspiration in our fight for freedom," shared Tunku Sofiah, quoting her uncle.

"If we are truly serious about commemorating Gandhi's birth anniversary, let us remember what he had said on his last birthday: "If you really want to celebrate my birthday, it is your duty not to let anyone be possessed by madness; and if there is any anger in your hearts, you must remove it."

Likewise, it is interesting to add what Tunku had said on his 64th birthday: "It will be a lovely birthday present for me if you will only give some thought and attention to my advice on the need to live together in peace, goodwill and harmony."

Both Tunku and Gandhi, who shared a common title of the Father of the Nation, were called to the Bar at the Inner Temple: Gandhi in 1891 and Tunku - almost 60 years later - in 1949.

A few years ago, both leaders were honoured by the Society of the Inner Temple in London on the occasion of the Society's 400th year anniversary celebrations.