Why was Mahatma Gandhi killed by one of his own?

from ASSASSINS · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Editor's note (22/12/2025): In this episode, we discuss how, under Gandhi's leadership, the spinning wheel became a symbol of rebellion in India. We then say, "Which is why, to this day, that wheel appears on the Indian flag." This is incorrect. Although it is true that the spinning wheel featured on an earlier version of the Indian flag, in 1947 it was replaced by the Ashoka Chakra.Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian activist who helped topple the British Empire, wasn't killed by colonisers, but by one of his own.When the struggle against the British was won, and India gained its independence, the ghosts of Partition lingered.And finally caught up with the man of peace.Why did Mahatma Gandhi, a man known for non-violence, meet such a violent end?Host: Aslan PahariProducer: Hannah JoseSound: John JacobsVideo Producer: Tejas BhatSpecial thanks: Michael Osmond for archives researchExecutive Producers: Joel Werner, Eric George, Jessica RadburnTo binge even more great episodes of ASSASSINS with Aslan Pahari go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find more stories of the world's most shocking assassinations — from the lone wolf hitman to the professional assassin, you'll hear how famous figures like Abraham Lincoln, Benazir Bhutto, Ramses III, Tupac, Rasputin, and Gandhi met their end.

What this episode covers

Editor's note (22/12/2025): In this episode, we discuss how, under Gandhi's leadership, the spinning wheel became a symbol of rebellion in India. We then say, "Which is why, to this day, that wheel appears on the Indian flag." This is incorrect. Although it is true that the spinning wheel featured on an earlier version of the Indian flag, in 1947 it was replaced by the Ashoka Chakra. Mahatma Gandhi, the Indian activist who helped topple the British Empire, wasn't killed by colonisers, but by one of his own. When the struggle against the British was won, and India gained its independence, the ghosts of Partition lingered. And finally caught up with the man of peace. Why did Mahatma Gandhi, a man known for non-violence, meet such a violent end? Host: Aslan Pahari Producer: Hannah Jose Sound: John Jacobs Video Producer: Tejas Bhat Special thanks: Michael Osmond for archives research Executive Producers: Joel Werner, Eric George, Jessica Radburn To binge even more great episodes of ASSASSINS with Aslan Pahari go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you'll find more stories of the world's most shocking assassinations — from the lone wolf hitman to the professional assassin, you'll hear how famous figures like Abraham Lincoln, Benazir Bhutto, Ramses III, Tupac, Rasputin, and Gandhi met their end.