Mahatma Gandhi was insulted as the ‘half‑naked seditious fakir’.

On 23 February 1931, Winston Churchill called Mahatma Gandhi a ‘half naked seditious fakir’ during an address to the Council of the West Essex Unionist Association in the UK.

At the time, Gandhi was negotiating with the British Viceroy, Lord Irwin, while leading civil disobedience against British rule.

Churchill’s remark mocked Gandhi’s simple clothing and political stance.

Gandhi later replied in a letter, taking the description as a compliment that reflected his rejection of materialism and devotion to truth and simplicity.
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