Peter Muir and Frances Muir in the National Geographic, April 1946:
“Renunciation is the magic word in India. Gandhi realises this, and it is one of the reasons behind his success. Jinnah, the Moslem, will never be a popular leader because he lives too well and his linen is too clean. But Gandhi is a good psychologist. he has convinced the masses by his spectacularly spartan way of life, that he has renounced everything.”
The comparison of the success of Gandhiji and Jinnah on the basis of their dress does not hold any water. After all there are thousands of Monks and Phakirs who have renounced every worldly thing, some times even the loin cloth, are to be found in plenty in any pilgrimage on the Ganges and at the foot of the Himalaya. They contributed nothing to wards the freedom movement of our country.
The main Strength of Gandhiji is his unwavering faith in Sathyagraha, Non voilence and truth. His unending concern for the poor and the untouchable moved the heart of millions irrespective of their caste and community.
Jinnah had a sizable following among the community which he tried to unite but could never be a leader of the entire nation because of his narrow approach. It is nothing but shallow reasoning that blames his immaculate dress for his failure to reach the pinnacle of glory.
It is really amazing to argue that his fine dress sense came in the way of his popularity. Even Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of free India was very particular about his dress, still he swayed millions only because he represented Gandhian ideals