The newspaper had asked him to clarify his views on women. He answered that he believed ‘in complete equality for women and, in the India I seek to build, they would have it’. He wished to see ‘the opening of all offices, professions and employments to women; otherwise there can be no real equality’. Then he added a significant caveat: ‘But I must sincerely hope that women will retain and exercise her ancient prerogative as queen of the household.’ In Gandhi’s view of the world, ‘generally, it is the father who should be the bread-winner’, while ‘family life is the first and greatest thing.
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