Harilal Gandhi

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Harilal Mohandas Gandhi (1888-1948) was the first son of Mahatma Gandhi. He had a very troubled relationship with his father, who eventually disowned him.

Harilal converted to Islam in the 1930s, adopting the name "Abdullah Gandhi". This act deeply offended his father, who believed Harilal had not converted out of belief but for material gains. He allowed himself to be used in public meetings as an example by Muslim mullahs in Karachi to convert Hindus to Islam. In one of these meetings, when a Muslim speaker disparaged his father, Harilal flew into rage and kicked the speaker in anger. Harilal later converted back to Hinduism.

The strain in the relationship between father and son was underscored by Harilal's proposal to remarry upon the death of his first wife in 1918, despite firm objections from his father, who commented on his wish to remarry: "How can I, who has always advocated renunciation of sex, encourage you to gratify it?". He was also called Harilalkaka by his nephews.

Harilal died of tuberculosis in June 1948, within months of his father's death.