Gandhiji Is one of the personalities that never dies. Gandhiji was a man of the era. He was not only followed by his disciples but also by his opponents due to his versatile personality and ideas. Although Mathma Gandhi sacrificed his entire life to give a structure to India. Some groups of people believe in an anti-Gandhian ideology. In this article, you will read about top myths and facts about the life of Mathma Gandhi that are circulated on social media Nowadays.
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Gandhi and Independence
In September 1947, instantly after independence, amidst Hindu-Muslim riots in North India, Mahatma Gandhi embarked on a mission for peace by initiating an endless hunger strike. During a prayer meeting, he expressed his desire to serve as a bridge between Hindus and Muslims, even offering to give his blood if needed in newly independent India. Tragically, Nathuram Godse interpreted this as provocation and assassinated Gandhi in Delhi on 30 January 1948 at the age of 78 years. This sudden assassination of the father of the nation increased the aftermath chaos of partitioned India.
Immortality of Ideas of Gandhi
As Aristotle said you can kill a person but you can not kill the ideas. The same is in the case of Gandhi violence cannot extinguish the enduring impact of Gandhi’s ideas. Today, WhatsApp and social media can perpetuate hate and misinformation about Mahatma Gandhi’s personal life. This misinformation turns ordinary individuals into potential aggressors. Recent incidents, like the lynching of Mohammad Israr over a stolen banana and many more, reveal the dangerous consequences of such ideologies.
Some scholars argue against making Gandhi Jayanti a national holiday. They argue due to their grievances with Gandhi’s controversial aspects, such as his sexual experiments, views on racism, caste system, and unwavering commitment to non-violence and Hindu-Muslim unity.
Regardless of one’s opinion of Gandhi, it’s essential to understand his enduring influence on independent India. Political leaders, both left and right, extremist or socialist, nationalist or separatist pay homage to Gandhi, recognizing the value of his versatile ideas. Gandhi’s concept of Swaraj, encompassing personal and social self-reliance, has remained relevant even in the 21st century.
Gandhi’s Idea of Swaraj
Mahatma Gandhi’s path to Swaraj emphasized on concepts of Satyagraha (truth force) and Ahimsa (non-violence). These principles were though radical but were pivotal in his quest for justice and change. Critics argued that Gandhi’s methods were extreme, particularly during controversial and criticized experiments like the one in Noakhali.
Disagreements with Gandhi extended to his economic philosophy, which rejected blind modernization in favor of self-sustaining, ecologically sound local economies. This was met with skepticism, even from some of his admirers like Nehru.
Despite the criticisms, Gandhi’s influence transcended his lifetime. His principles inspired movements like the Narmada Bachao Andolan, RTI, Panchayati Raj, and figures like Mandela and Martin Luther King. While Gandhi was not without flaws, his ideas remain relevant internationally.
Gandhiessm in 21st Cetuary
Today, there are attempts to dilute Gandhi’s legacy by redefining religion in militant terms and appropriating his image for political gain. However, true reverence for Gandhi requires a commitment to his ideals, not just symbolic gestures.
Gandhi’s impact endures because his principles promote truth, self-control, inclusivity, and non-violence. Even today, his voice resonates in social movements and slogans. Gandhi’s legacy reminds us to uphold the ideas upon which our nation was founded. It also forces us to question our actions, both on Delhi’s streets and in its parliament.
Gandhi’s legacy continues to inspire us to question the ideals upon which our nation was founded and the actions we take, whether on Delhi’s streets or in its parliament. It urges us to reflect on our commitment to truth, self-control, inclusivity, and non-violence.
Today’s world is marked by divisive ideologies based on sex, caste, color, religion, sect, territory, and the spread of hatred through various platforms provided by the modern era. Gandhi’s message of unity and peace remains relevant even in the third decade of the 21st century. We face challenges that test our ability to adhere to his principles. But the power of truth and non-violence endures followed and guided by him.
Conclusion
As we commemorate Gandhi Jayanti, it is essential to remember the complexities of Gandhi himself. Nobody in this world is perfect, even Gandhi was not perfect; he had his flaws and made many controversial choices. However, it is through recognizing these imperfections that we can appreciate the depth of his humanity that he had.
In the end, Gandhi’s enduring legacy is a testament to the power of ideas, principles, and unwavering commitment to positive change that he envisaged in his personality. In a world that often seems divided at different levels, his message reminds us that a better world is possible if we hold fast to the ideals upon which our nation was founded and work towards a more just and harmonious society. Killing Ghandhi is possible but Killing Gandhian ideology is impossible, Ghandhinism is an immortal concept.