I am not defaming Gandhi here, the very idea of this discussion is to get more information and personal views on the subject ...

Gandhiji for all his great virtues which of course no one can deny was also quite controversial in his ideas and way of living.

Going by all accounts Gandhi was not the one to introduce the concepts of non-violence, civil disobedience etc. Boycott of British goods, civil disobedience, non-violence were already being practiced by the Congress when Gandhi joined the movement...
Gandhi also preached celibacy but one wonders what was the use of preaching this when he himself had not been able to practice it ? and when he proclaimed he was renouncing all sexual activities altogether Gandhi was 37 years old , politically active and had the adoration of the masses who called him Mahatma , a Saint.
One wonders if Gandhi had this in mind while declaring his celibacy...