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.