Gandhi Jayanthi- A multifaceted view of his legacy after 7 decades

Sowmya Raju | NT

Bengaluru: Today, October 2, marks the 154th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the most revered figures in Indian history. Gandhi was a pioneer of nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience, and his leadership played a crucial role in India's independence from British rule.

Gandhi's legacy is complex and multifaceted, with both positive and negative aspects.

On the one hand, he is widely praised for his commitment to non-violence, his dedication to social justice, and his role in India's independence. On the other hand, some critics have accused him of being paternalistic, misogynistic, and casteist.

When News Trail spoke to several youths in the city to know their views on Bapu, a first-year engineering student said, “I am grateful for Gandhi's contributions to India's independence and his promotion of social justice. His philosophy of non-violence is still relevant today, and it is a powerful tool for challenging injustice and promoting peace,” he said.

Gandhi is credited with leading the Indian independence movement to victory, and his philosophy of nonviolence has inspired people around the world.

Gandhi also played a key role in promoting social justice and equality in India. He fought for the rights of the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalised, and he helped to lay the foundation for a more just and equitable society.

He also inspired people around the world with his philosophy of non-violence. However several youngsters do not share the same thoughts.

“I have a mixed view of Gandhi's legacy. I admire his courage, his commitment to social justice, and his role in India's independence. However, I am also critical of his views on women and caste. He is similar to a lot of his peers who opine that nonviolence is a powerful way to challenge injustice and promote peace but it is important to be realistic about the world where it is not always possible to rely on non-violence alone," said another youngster.

While Gandhi's positive impacts on India are undeniable, he is not without his critics. Some have accused him of being paternalistic, misogynistic, and casteist.

For example, Gandhi opposed women's suffrage and believed that women should play a subservient role in society. He also held controversial views on caste, believing that the caste system was divinely ordained.

Another college student said, “I am concerned about the fact that Gandhi's teachings are sometimes used to justify the status quo. Some people argue that we should not criticise the British for their colonial rule because it was in the past, but it is important to remember the past. We should not forget the atrocities that were committed by the British.” he added, “ I believe that these views are outdated, harmful, and have no place in a modern, democratic society.”

A political scientist from Karnataka opines Gandhi's legacy of non-violence is both a blessing and a curse. It offers hope for a more peaceful world, but it can also be misinterpreted as a form of submission.

We must teach our children to stand up for their rights and to resist oppression, while also teaching them to be critical of the past and to question the motives of those who hold power.

He said, “It is the reason why people leave India and go abroad because that kind of mentality makes us feel inferior to the people in the West,” he said.