Gandhi’s Freedom

Context: People’s freedom is at stake. There is a growing democracy deficit in the world today, which can be bridged using Gandhian principles and his legacy.

Gandhi in the 20th Century:

• A most powerful man of the 20th Century: United Nations mourned the death of Gandhi by lowering the flag to half-mast and an entire day’s session to honour him. 

• Gandhism still prevails (‘Love or Hated but not to be ignored’): Seventy-two years after his death, Gandhism remains, but it is largely about externals. 

• E.g. Cleanliness, khadi, cow protection, and swadeshi became chic in Gandhi’s name. 
• Gandhi emerged as a “trendy fashion icon”. 

Gandhism and its significance:

• Gave a spiritual dimension to the core message of freedom: which Tagore described in his poem as “where the mind is without fear”.

• Gandhi fought relentlessly from South Africa to India for freedom with responsibility and equality with dignity and love.
• He described the swaraj movement as one of ‘Self Purification’.

• An anti-thesis to dictatorial tendencies: As oppose to the dictators like Hitler and Stalin who usurped power by eliminating the opposition, Gandhi lived an open life, never surrounded by a coterie. 

• For, E.g. He rushed to Noakhali when riots broke out in early 1947 in which a large number of Hindus were killed. 
• Also, he refused to accept the chief minister’s version about the communal situation in Bihar and rushed to Patna to offer succour to Muslims who were victimised by Hindus 
• He admonished the Congress government in equally harsh words for its failure. 

• Proposed a State of righteous freedom – Rama Rajya or Dharma Rajya: 

• Rama Rajya, for Gandhi, meant people being free from every type of rule. 
• Deen Dayal Upadhyay later explained Dharma Rajya in terms of democracy (“by the people, of the people and for the people”).

• While  “by the people” and “of the people” represented elections and government, “for the people” meant Dharma. 
• Inspired many:  Authoritarian regimes fell in many countries after India’s independence. 

• For, E.g. the disintegration of the Soviet Union was triggered by ‘the policy of Glasnost (openness)’ and ‘the use of brute military power to suppress domestic movements.’

Way Forward: 

• Need for Gandhism: since there is a growing democracy deficit in the world today and people’s freedoms are at stake. 

• A benevolent state and free media: are mandatory for people’s freedom.