Being a science student, who studied history in a view of 4 marks or 8 marks, I didnt know many things or misinterpreted many facts . There might be many people just like me, if I can change views of one person my efforts of writing this blog would be succeeded.
I am born and brought up in a family which believes in ideology of communism and socialism. Bhagat Singh was, is and will be my love and hero. May be due to this I didn't try to understand things like
1) What was/is Gandhi to the nation?
2) Why do we call him Mahatma?
3) Why did people follow him??
4) What was his views then ??
I was one amongst hell lot of people who opposed many actions of Gandhiji knowingly or unknowingly.
- How many of us know there existed a thing called Gandhi - Irwin pact ?
But many of us know that Gandhi signed or didnot sign which can (not might) save Bhagat singh.
YES, Gandhi - Irwin pact was signed by Gandhi, which has nothing to do with Bhagat singh's death sentence.Irwin, then viceroy was desperate to end up civil disobedience movement. Using that desperate scenario of Irwin, Gandhi could have blackmailed him by saying "I will sign only if you release the prisoners involved in MURDER CASE of saunders". Instead he just requested Irwin saying that, he murdered only because of love towards Lala lajpat rai. Irwin, who was scared of Bhagat singh's popularity didnt agree for that, as it was a shut case with strong evidences(He didn't want Bhagat Singh to be alive at any cost) . A great believer of NON VIOLENCE couldnt stress/blackmail to release a prisoner convicted for murder case.
I was one amongst hell lot of people who opposed many actions of Gandhiji knowingly or unknowingly.
- How many of us know there existed a thing called Gandhi - Irwin pact ?
But many of us know that Gandhi signed or didnot sign which can (not might) save Bhagat singh.
YES, Gandhi - Irwin pact was signed by Gandhi, which has nothing to do with Bhagat singh's death sentence.Irwin, then viceroy was desperate to end up civil disobedience movement. Using that desperate scenario of Irwin, Gandhi could have blackmailed him by saying "I will sign only if you release the prisoners involved in MURDER CASE of saunders". Instead he just requested Irwin saying that, he murdered only because of love towards Lala lajpat rai. Irwin, who was scared of Bhagat singh's popularity didnt agree for that, as it was a shut case with strong evidences(He didn't want Bhagat Singh to be alive at any cost) . A great believer of NON VIOLENCE couldnt stress/blackmail to release a prisoner convicted for murder case.
GANDHI -IRWIN PACT mostly benefited congressmen, is another misconception because it talked about prisoners for dis obeying salt laws. but it had a law which says all the taxes will be lifted on salt(common mans benefit).To be noted none of the prisoners released were involved in any criminal case.
Many people think he is a HINDU ACTIVIST.
He was one of many who sensed communal riots and greatly opposed communal hatred in people(failed to some extent and succeeded to some extent).
These were misunderstandings I heard and continue to hear from many people.
Coming to answers for my questions:
1) .A lot of people believed in him and hence he had a lot of power. British government was scared of him due to the response they got when he started a movement. He was the voice of the common man. It might be his voice that had probably controlled the Monarchism among congressmen.
Poorn Swaraj with socialist ideas was his dream.Many think his view is only democracy which benefits rich class of the country. No, he was a widely misunderstood person amongst congressmen (framed by opposition. may or may not be true)
2) Obviously he is Mahatma for many people why can't we just accept that?? Of course his ideology made him Mahatma.
3) He was always clear about his ideas and actions. He is the only person who could foresee the consequences of his and others actions. He was patient, confident enough to convince people effectively in what he believed.
His ideology created a new era (Gandhia era) which fed him with lot of followers.
4)Many things for sure. If all his ideas would have taken a form of action India wouldn't have been in the current shape.
I’LL KEEP UPDATING THIS BLOG AS SOON AS I UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THIS INTRUIGING TOPIC. IF YOU AGREE WITH ME LET ME KNOW WHAT MORE YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SAME TOPIC AND IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ME PLEASE SHARE YOUR POINT OF VIEW IN THE COMMENTS SO THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR REASONING BEHIND THE SAME.
His ideology created a new era (Gandhia era) which fed him with lot of followers.
4)Many things for sure. If all his ideas would have taken a form of action India wouldn't have been in the current shape.
I’LL KEEP UPDATING THIS BLOG AS SOON AS I UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT THIS INTRUIGING TOPIC. IF YOU AGREE WITH ME LET ME KNOW WHAT MORE YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SAME TOPIC AND IF YOU DISAGREE WITH ME PLEASE SHARE YOUR POINT OF VIEW IN THE COMMENTS SO THAT I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR REASONING BEHIND THE SAME.
I liked this Article/Writing. I am a Gandhian. He lead huge number of people. Mistakes might have happened. Things might have got manipulated from his anti's.
ReplyDeleteAnyways nice effort. Nice Article.
Not a big fan of Gandhi...but Good article as always from you
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FNSQcEx02A
ReplyDeleteSee this link , where ambedkar explains how Gandhi is a mere western media sensation and not a reformer at all. He is a patriot and wants undivided India at any cost. Thats all.There is nothing else great about him.In Ambedkar's words he is a hypocrite.
This is what he said about manual scavenging.
Gandhi wrote in Harijan in 1934: “I call scavenging as one of the most honourable occupations to which mankind is called. I don’t consider it an unclean occupation by any means. That you have to handle dirt is true. But that every mother is doing and has to do. But nobody says a mother’s occupation is unclean.” In another essay entitled ‘The Ideal Bhangi’ in 1936 he wrote, “My ideal Bhangi would know the quality of night-soil and urine. He would keep a close watch on these and give a timely warning to the individual concerned. Thus he will give a timely notice of the results of his examination of the excreta. That presupposes a scientific knowledge of the requirements of his profession.” It is this stranglehold of Gandhism that has kept manual scavenging alive.
What great idealogy you were referring to when you called him mahatma ?
Ms Geethika ,
ReplyDeleteall the things & facts u mentioned in the article are generically true & behind G - I act , dirty politics was there which resembled opposition (ppl against 2 gandhi ) & rest of the negative comments.
In 1 sentence - Gandhi was great person ever ,great follower of truth & non-violence (most difficult things 2 carry in human journey) but the worst politician of indian history too (the mistakes he did on political front).
In Gandhi's life, destiny played very diverting role . On one hand, he was great follower of truth & non - violence & on other hand , he was a leader in a battle to free a nation . And both the things r opposite 2 each other as freedom never lies on loving Hands. And Gandhi fails on this situation only . he became great human being but he left country in pendulum archery .
One more thing I would like 2 share abt our freedom .
Gandhi is one of the freedom fighter among hundred of thousands of others.
When England announced India as free nation,The main turning point was 2nd world war & the attempts of Azad Hind Sena & strike of Indian Nevy (Major) & not the Gandhivaad & satyagraha (u can consider these things as one of supporting stand).
Moral - Last generation fails to update & transfer the perfect & true pages of the History. As we suffered from this confused situation & next generation will also , so lets think about how problems can be solved not because of whom they arose.
- Indian.
@rakesh : I think he respected dignity of labour (May or may not but i dont see any insult there) If man scavengers dont exist in a country like India hunger death's would have increased. we know Educated class and middle class people or upper middle class is negotiable % in India . So if those people who are working for their daily bread are replaced with modern machines / any thing else, Do u think they can survive??? I feel his comments would have made their work more respectable. (though it didn't happen in India)
ReplyDelete@Indian : To be frank I treated Gandhi as a good politician earlier (manager would be right word) . I never liked him as individual.
ReplyDeletebut if you go through my post/blog you will never find anywhere that I mentioned his ways or he is responsible for Independence.
I just mean to say he is a not a person to be hated. And with Violence , unifying masses of people wouldn't be possible. We may got independence with war but at what rate?? The difference between people would have increased and if he gains popularity with violent methods British govt would have reason to hang him before he utter a word . I will never give credit of Independence to Gandhi but yes I will give credit to him for the ways (truth and non -violence) to attract people and emerge as a non controversial leader amongst his believers. Getting mass involved into the movement is one more thing he succeeded in.
All that is self effacement. He is not a reformer and may be an astute politician who eventually realized the ambition of single political unit called India. He is no reformer. He is an orthodox Hindu who supported caste system. Well even his personal morality is lambasted by eminent people.Watch that video and archives of other great Indians .He is media created 'mahatma' however he is a well deserving politcian and a policy maker with a great vision. Mahatma is a word that should be reserved for a true emanicipator like garrison,Budhha etc., not him.Period.
ReplyDeleteWell writen post.
ReplyDeleteNot many know about Gandhiji in depth and have pre conceived notions about him. (Either good or bad)
Gandhiji did a lot of good things and some not so good things as well ( No body is perfect...even Gandhiji !)
It is always good to know more about some of the facts / events in history which haven't been covered in detail in our school syllabus.
Do update the blog when you get to know more about him..will surely read them once you post.
Cheers
Aditya
@Aditya surely sir and thanks for your comment :)
ReplyDelete