October 2nd 2019 was the 150th birth anniversary of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. To say that he is India's most famous son after Buddha is no exaggeration. The juxtaposition of a religious figure with an almost God-like reverence and a political figure may seem sacrilegious, but it is something most scholars of Indian politics and history won't find incongruous.
Gandhi's role in the Indian freedom movement is well documented by numerous historians and political observers, both in India and internationally. And yet his contributions are grossly understated in his home country. With the rise of right wing nationalism, Indian society has forgotten the significance of a non-violent freedom struggle spearheaded by Gandhi. So much so, that some sections of right wing fanatics deify Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Gandhi. It is representative of the modern Indian society and the world at this moment, with a surge in right-wing nationalism all over the world.
It is very strange that the right-wing does not like Gandhi. Gandhi was everything that a utopian right-wing politician offers to their supporters. His politics was driven by a strong moral compass, a result of him being deeply religious. His evangelism of radical vegetarianism is proof of his devout Jain roots. And yet he was not blinded by ideological or religious bigotry. At times Gandhi admired Christian beliefs, despite the "unchristian" behaviour of the British. In his autobiography, he applauds the gospel of Mathew and especially chapter 5, the Sermon on the Mount. And it is often this tolerance of other religions and opposing views that makes him stand out amongst other right-wing leaders.
Indian government has trivialised Gandhi and forgotten his ideals. It is ironic that in his 150th birth year, the government has decided to imprison the people of an entire state in their homes. The unconstitutional abolishment of article 370 and the subsequent clampdown on India administered Kashmir is proof that India as a society has failed Gandhi. For someone who took a bullet because he refused to condone violence against Muslims, this must feel like a knife to the heart.
The most common complaint against Gandhian principles is that they are too lofty and ambitious. The modern leader needs to be pragmatic. And it is this pragmatism that is the damnation of this generation. The refusal to speak out against blatant injustice against fellow countrymen is a testament to the moral corruption in our society. This lack of a moral compass has created a country of self-seeking opportunists, pragmatic and quite often clever. The modern Indian does not care if their government is tyrannical.
In this age of Erdoğans, Trumps, Putins and Modis, the world has forgotten Gandhi. And as we witness the birth of a totalitarian nation, a Nazi India, I am sure India has failed Gandhi too.
Gandhi's role in the Indian freedom movement is well documented by numerous historians and political observers, both in India and internationally. And yet his contributions are grossly understated in his home country. With the rise of right wing nationalism, Indian society has forgotten the significance of a non-violent freedom struggle spearheaded by Gandhi. So much so, that some sections of right wing fanatics deify Nathuram Godse, the man who assassinated Gandhi. It is representative of the modern Indian society and the world at this moment, with a surge in right-wing nationalism all over the world.
It is very strange that the right-wing does not like Gandhi. Gandhi was everything that a utopian right-wing politician offers to their supporters. His politics was driven by a strong moral compass, a result of him being deeply religious. His evangelism of radical vegetarianism is proof of his devout Jain roots. And yet he was not blinded by ideological or religious bigotry. At times Gandhi admired Christian beliefs, despite the "unchristian" behaviour of the British. In his autobiography, he applauds the gospel of Mathew and especially chapter 5, the Sermon on the Mount. And it is often this tolerance of other religions and opposing views that makes him stand out amongst other right-wing leaders.
Indian government has trivialised Gandhi and forgotten his ideals. It is ironic that in his 150th birth year, the government has decided to imprison the people of an entire state in their homes. The unconstitutional abolishment of article 370 and the subsequent clampdown on India administered Kashmir is proof that India as a society has failed Gandhi. For someone who took a bullet because he refused to condone violence against Muslims, this must feel like a knife to the heart.
The most common complaint against Gandhian principles is that they are too lofty and ambitious. The modern leader needs to be pragmatic. And it is this pragmatism that is the damnation of this generation. The refusal to speak out against blatant injustice against fellow countrymen is a testament to the moral corruption in our society. This lack of a moral compass has created a country of self-seeking opportunists, pragmatic and quite often clever. The modern Indian does not care if their government is tyrannical.
In this age of Erdoğans, Trumps, Putins and Modis, the world has forgotten Gandhi. And as we witness the birth of a totalitarian nation, a Nazi India, I am sure India has failed Gandhi too.
