On the eve of #GandhiJayanti , I am settling into my own assessment of his contribution and importance.
This thread is a reflection of my own assessment based on what I have read about Gandhi - through his own writings and others.
Will begin with Positives & then Negatives.
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This thread is a reflection of my own assessment based on what I have read about Gandhi - through his own writings and others.
Will begin with Positives & then Negatives.
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1. His understanding of the Indian past. Among the few who had no inferiority about the Tradition.
- Actively defended the Kula-Jati-Varna aspect of the Society
- Held the Indian Kings in great esteem.
- Understand the functional mechanics of the society, spoke its language
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- Actively defended the Kula-Jati-Varna aspect of the Society
- Held the Indian Kings in great esteem.
- Understand the functional mechanics of the society, spoke its language
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2. His understanding of Modernity and its evil dimension.
Hind Swaraj is the most scathing criticism of Modernity ever. May not contain complex abstract nouns, models, theories, hypothesis.
But represents fundamental issues of Modernity in a way all can understand.
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Hind Swaraj is the most scathing criticism of Modernity ever. May not contain complex abstract nouns, models, theories, hypothesis.
But represents fundamental issues of Modernity in a way all can understand.
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3. His understanding of British Colonialism.
He clearly saw their might to transform a society to their convenience without the knowledge of the subjects. He saw beyond Politics.
He wrongly thought their own self image of people with high culture could be used against them.
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He clearly saw their might to transform a society to their convenience without the knowledge of the subjects. He saw beyond Politics.
He wrongly thought their own self image of people with high culture could be used against them.
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4. His use of Indian cultural instruments/imageries
From posture to tone to language to symbols to imageries Gandhi deployed elements from Indian Culture to rally the cause of his Nonviolent Movement.
Few have since deployed our cultural instruments in that breadth, scale.
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From posture to tone to language to symbols to imageries Gandhi deployed elements from Indian Culture to rally the cause of his Nonviolent Movement.
Few have since deployed our cultural instruments in that breadth, scale.
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5. Created a sense of Political unity/Modern State
The cultural unity already existed. But, by being the single biggest voice, with reach across the country, Gandhi created a Political consciousness.
Would have happened without him too but his rallying around was very big.
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The cultural unity already existed. But, by being the single biggest voice, with reach across the country, Gandhi created a Political consciousness.
Would have happened without him too but his rallying around was very big.
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6. Recognized the Evil of Alcoholism
Realised the dangers of alcoholism, that it was destroying the poor. Actively fought against it.
His solutions were impractical but his campaign brought focus on its destructive dimension.
We see that in certain states today.
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Realised the dangers of alcoholism, that it was destroying the poor. Actively fought against it.
His solutions were impractical but his campaign brought focus on its destructive dimension.
We see that in certain states today.
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7. Sense of Urgency towards ending Untouchability
Among all Traditionalists, Gandhi was the first to see the inhuman nature of Untouchability and the criticality of ending it. Sought to do so from within the Tradition.
We haven’t sufficiently understood/appreciated this yet.
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Among all Traditionalists, Gandhi was the first to see the inhuman nature of Untouchability and the criticality of ending it. Sought to do so from within the Tradition.
We haven’t sufficiently understood/appreciated this yet.
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8. His understanding of the inherent problems within Abrahamic Religions.
Contrary to our perceptions, Gandhiji had a good understanding of the aggressive nature of Abrahamic Religions/their destructive dimensions.
Our misfortunate it didn’t translate into useful action.
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Contrary to our perceptions, Gandhiji had a good understanding of the aggressive nature of Abrahamic Religions/their destructive dimensions.
Our misfortunate it didn’t translate into useful action.
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Now, for the -Ves.
1. The ost obvious one is his “Resolution complex” for H-M relations.
An absolute, unmitigated disaster. Led the H society towards a dark disastrous precipice & a Civilizational death trap.
Puzzling it happened despite his understanding of the problem.
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1. The ost obvious one is his “Resolution complex” for H-M relations.
An absolute, unmitigated disaster. Led the H society towards a dark disastrous precipice & a Civilizational death trap.
Puzzling it happened despite his understanding of the problem.
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2. Demeaning people & movements that used Force
His insensitivity towards them was so total. We carried over this disdain into the post independence period as well. Our History has been purged - no mention of armed resistance.
Only in the recent we are coming out of this.
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His insensitivity towards them was so total. We carried over this disdain into the post independence period as well. Our History has been purged - no mention of armed resistance.
Only in the recent we are coming out of this.
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3. His Positioning of Ahimsa as a Political Instrument
He transformed a Spiritual Instrument into a Political one with disastrous consequences. This works only against your own. It plays into the hands of an Enemy otherwise.
The loss of force handicapped India for long.
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He transformed a Spiritual Instrument into a Political one with disastrous consequences. This works only against your own. It plays into the hands of an Enemy otherwise.
The loss of force handicapped India for long.
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4. His undemocratic, highhanded leadership
Through & Through it was a my-way or high-way attitude. Convenient engagement with selective people & sidelining of others.
Tej Bahadur Sapru’s observation on Gandhi is quite telling in 1940s.
Led the movement into blind spots.
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Through & Through it was a my-way or high-way attitude. Convenient engagement with selective people & sidelining of others.
Tej Bahadur Sapru’s observation on Gandhi is quite telling in 1940s.
Led the movement into blind spots.
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5. Finally, his excessive love and weakness for both Motilal Nehru and Jawahar Lal Nehru.
Unclear why this was so - a mystery. Terrible injustice to Patel. Finally, an injustice to India.
Only charitable explanation is that he wanted to keep an erratic Nehru within the fold.
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Unclear why this was so - a mystery. Terrible injustice to Patel. Finally, an injustice to India.
Only charitable explanation is that he wanted to keep an erratic Nehru within the fold.
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The good thing is the psychological hold he had on the Indian mind is reducing. It was quite high even in the 80s, it began to wane in the 90s.
Indians still struggle to criticise Gandhi. It continues to be a cultural crime for many born before the 90s.
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Indians still struggle to criticise Gandhi. It continues to be a cultural crime for many born before the 90s.
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For many others, its a material necessity to keep Gandhi flag flying so. But that group is diminishing by the day.
We need some more psychological distance from both Gandhiji himself and disastrous realities that are unmistakably his legacy.
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We need some more psychological distance from both Gandhiji himself and disastrous realities that are unmistakably his legacy.
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Until such time we will oscillate between absolute dumping and shutting ears against any criticism.
Long way to go still.
Long way to go still.
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