Video Editor: Rahul Sanpui
Six million European Jews gassed, 8.7 million Russians murdered and 6 million Poles killed in labour camps. Homosexuals, the terminally ill – he spared no one.
Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime redefined genocide in the 20th century. But what if I told you that Hitler is, in fact, a best-seller in India?
Yes, Hitler’s autobiography Mein Kampf, which means ‘my struggle’, published on 18 July, 1925, sells on pavements, traffic signals and bookshops across India. So, why is Hitler such a hit with some indians?
Well, we did not witness the Holocaust, so we overlook Hitler's evils and blindly hail the ‘decisive’ leader who restored German national pride.
By the way, Hitler’s biggest Indian fan was Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray. In 1967, Thackeray said it is a Hitler that is needed in India today.
According to the TOI, before the 1992-93 Mumbai riots, Thackeray said something really shocking.
In Mein Kampf, replace the word Jew with Muslim, that’s what I believe.Bal Thackeray
So, where is 'Hitler love’ today?
In 2002, a study conducted by the Times of India found that 17 percent of Indian students liked Hitler over Netaji, Mandela & Lincoln.
Be it Bal Thackeray or school kids today, glorifying a gory dictator and being ignorant of his war crimes isn't cool!
So, before you praise Adolf Hitler or buy a copy of Mein Kampf, just google his name once!
(This video has been republished from The Quint’s archives on Adolf Hitler’s birth anniversary.)
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)