The Journey of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi to Mahatma Gandhi is one
that has entwined itself inseparably with the Independence struggle of
our country. It is a journey that was set to affect millions living in
not just India but outside too. That this journey has captured the
imagination and conscience of the people needs no further illustration
than a look at the present socio-cultural rhythms of the nation that
continue to be shaped by his philosophy and life. It was as much a revelation of
how the Indian psyche was influenced when it embraced ‘Gandhiism’ as a
mode of life and struggle.
That Gandhi was a product of his times goes without saying. The
representative of an India post the renaissance of Mohan Roy and a
firm advocate of the shastras and other Indain texts, Gandhi was
without a doubt influenced by the section of reformists who attempted
at instilling pride by a return to the holy texts of our ancestors. To
his credit is the fact that he was successfully able to imbibe his
beliefs into his mode of struggle. While it would be an injustice to
other great and at times equally popular leaders to say Gandhi was the
hero that the people were searching for, it would be fair enough to
say that Gandhi was the leader who influenced the economically
well-to-do patriots of our country. Their patronage of the man
arguably played the role in the image of the Mahatma trickling down to
the peasant subjects of the country. The Gandhian mode of struggle was
a reflection of the Hindu ideology coupled with ideas of Indian
Renaissance. The influence of this hybrid philosophy meant that as
much as new methods of struggle emerged, all, invariably linked itself
to Hinduism. Inevitably, what followed was alienation and isolation of
other religious groups and ideologies. That these trends continue even
today is reflected by the extent to which minority politics and
policies are volleyed forth and over by political parties for their
own gains. In place of a secular and democratic movement that should
logically have followed our renaissance, such a movement based on
religious sentiments has set us back by many years, affecting policies
and structures of even education and women emancipation. Indian
conscience continues to be dominated by a sludge even when seemingly
backward Arab nations have risen to a boil.
That Gandhi was honest is a matter beyond doubt but, invariably he has
contributed to that very culture which he, by all means dreaded. The
very roots of an ideology which had no precedents but that of ‘Mahatmas’
set him up on that pedestal where he stands infallible but sadly
responsible for skewed versions of his ideology that dominates
today’s political and cultural landscape including the spurt and
growth of adamant religious extremism.
that has entwined itself inseparably with the Independence struggle of
our country. It is a journey that was set to affect millions living in
not just India but outside too. That this journey has captured the
imagination and conscience of the people needs no further illustration
than a look at the present socio-cultural rhythms of the nation that
continue to be shaped by his philosophy and life. It was as much a revelation of
how the Indian psyche was influenced when it embraced ‘Gandhiism’ as a
mode of life and struggle.
That Gandhi was a product of his times goes without saying. The
representative of an India post the renaissance of Mohan Roy and a
firm advocate of the shastras and other Indain texts, Gandhi was
without a doubt influenced by the section of reformists who attempted
at instilling pride by a return to the holy texts of our ancestors. To
his credit is the fact that he was successfully able to imbibe his
beliefs into his mode of struggle. While it would be an injustice to
other great and at times equally popular leaders to say Gandhi was the
hero that the people were searching for, it would be fair enough to
say that Gandhi was the leader who influenced the economically
well-to-do patriots of our country. Their patronage of the man
arguably played the role in the image of the Mahatma trickling down to
the peasant subjects of the country. The Gandhian mode of struggle was
a reflection of the Hindu ideology coupled with ideas of Indian
Renaissance. The influence of this hybrid philosophy meant that as
much as new methods of struggle emerged, all, invariably linked itself
to Hinduism. Inevitably, what followed was alienation and isolation of
other religious groups and ideologies. That these trends continue even
today is reflected by the extent to which minority politics and
policies are volleyed forth and over by political parties for their
own gains. In place of a secular and democratic movement that should
logically have followed our renaissance, such a movement based on
religious sentiments has set us back by many years, affecting policies
and structures of even education and women emancipation. Indian
conscience continues to be dominated by a sludge even when seemingly
backward Arab nations have risen to a boil.
That Gandhi was honest is a matter beyond doubt but, invariably he has
contributed to that very culture which he, by all means dreaded. The
very roots of an ideology which had no precedents but that of ‘Mahatmas’
set him up on that pedestal where he stands infallible but sadly
responsible for skewed versions of his ideology that dominates
today’s political and cultural landscape including the spurt and
growth of adamant religious extremism.
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