Gandhi in 2020

Context: An analysis of the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in 2020, which is vital in cultivating freedom from resentment, demonstrated through his practice of non-violence.

Mahatma Gandhi’s views on Resentment

• He chose the path of “Creative Resistance” rather than “Resentment”:

• Gandhi called his train journey in 1893 from Durban to Pretoria as a “creative experience”.

• Rather than forcing himself to have resentment against the individual officer, he chose to path of non-violence and attempted to attack the root cause of the prejudices.
• Creative resistance arises from the ability to de-personalise the hurt and insult.
• It is only on this track that one can seek to right old wrongs through restorative justice — a process which heals the wounds of both victims and perpetrators. 

• He designated resentment to be based on a false assumption - morally and empirically:

• Resentment latches onto, and indefinitely expands the experience of hurt. 
• Even when it is dressed up in revolutionary fervour, resentment remains rooted in memories of powerlessness.
• It feeds on the desire for vengeance, for settling scores.

Way Forward: Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi in the contemporary context

• Freedom from resentment among Hindus: The Ram Janbhoomi Movement is based on Hindu resentment about the destruction of its temples in the past.

• Its far-reaching success lies in persuading enough Hindus to ignore the violence and politics of vengeance, which led up to the construction of a new temple.
• The idea of ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhava’ should guide the creative resistance towards the movement. 

Conclusion: Regardless of the specific issue or dispute, freedom from resentment promises to be a winner and leveller.