Possibility that Gandhi May Have been Gay

In reports on Joseph Lelyveld's “Great Soul: Mahatma Gandhi and His Struggle With India,“ one issue has eclipsed all others: the possibility that Gandhi may have been gay.
Judging by the reactions the reviews have sparked, Mr. Lelyveld's book seems to have opened a new rift between many of his critics and supporters -- the former arguing he probably was gay (and generally a weirdo), and the latter treating the suggestion as little short of blasphemy. What most seem to agree on is that being gay is a bad thing.
The indignation over the Mahatma's supposed sexual orientation came as no big surprise to Monish Malhotra, a gay-rights activist and co-organizer of Delhi's gay pride parade.
Although homosexuality was decriminalized in 2009, and is slowly becoming more socially accepted, Mr. Malhotra is well aware that it remains a highly sensitive issue in India. He said outrage over Gandhi's alleged bisexuality speaks also of the country's still widespread homophobia.
Personally, Mr. Malhotra said he doesn't care whether Gandhi was or wasn't gay. “That's beside the point,“ said Mr. Malhotra in a recent interview. “Even if he was gay, what difference does it make? Does he not remain the father of the nation?“
Mr. Malhotra also said we are unlikely to see placards of Gandhi being brandished alongside rainbow flags at the next gay pride parade. For a start, from what he has gathered from commentaries and reviews of Mr. Lelyveld's book so far, he doesn't believe there is enough proof to suggest Gandhi was gay or bisexual.
And even if he was, Mr. Malhotra pointed out Gandhi is not known to have spoken about it openly, which would rule him out as a poster child for gay rights.