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Influence of Gandhian ideas
Gandhi's impact on the world
Gandhi's impact on the world
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HISTORY INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
PRADNYA CHHORIYA
WORD COUNT:
DATE:
To what extent Gandhian mode of protest Satyagraha relevant in today’s context?
CONTENTS
1. Plan of investigation.
2. Summary of evidence.
a. Ideologies of Gandhiji (about Satyagraha)
2.2 Significance and non-significance of it today
2.3Examples
2.4 Where all Satyagraha is not successful?
2.5 How it maintains peace today?
3. Evaluation of sources.
4. Analysis.
5. Conclusion.
To what extent Gandhian mode of protest Satyagraha(non-violence) relevant in today’s context?
1 Plan of investigation
Fed by the politics of hunger, communal hatred and violence, our country made a ‘tryst with destiny’ when it achieved by freedom by the paradoxical ahimsa (non-violence) and the tool of Satyagraha. The simple gesture of picking up salt turned into one of the most nationalistic movements the world has ever witnessed. But is the concept of Satyagraha still relevant today? This investigation assesses to what extent has the Gandhian mode of protest is still relevant in India. Are Gandhi’s ideologies still applicable with the advent of modernization? Through this investigation we will be able to answer a question regarding the applicability of the Satyagraha concept in our present century.
While Western Europe had echoed with the rants of dictators Gandhi had stirred the crowded multitudes of India, the most populous area in the world, without raising his voice. It was not with the luring of power of fortune that he had called his followers to his cause but by giving a warning of having to handle the most difficult adversities of their life, yet people followed him with utmost reverence. In this investigation, we will try to find out what were the reasons for the s...
... middle of paper ...
...ce means non-reaction to injustice. But this is not true. Justice is an aspect of truth or Satya and it is only befitting to do everything imaginable within one's control to defend and preserve justice - that is the legitimate duty of a Satyagrahi.
Anytime, that we see violence or injustice, we have to resist it sympathetically and affectionately. Without showing any sign of revenge or hatred we have to resist it. One has to go through all the threats and dangers. And rise victoriously from them, with the principles of Satyagraha.
Citation and Bibliography
REF: Taman, “Followers and International influence”, Biography-mahatmagandhi.blogspot.in, Web, retrieved23-03-2014
REF: Sunanda Sharma, “Gandhian Strategy”, www.mkgandhi.org, Web, retrieved on 23-03-2013
REF: Urmila Das, “The Relevance of Mahatma Gandhi to the world today”, shaw.ca, Web, 23-03-2014
"Selections from Gandhi : Complete Book Online." WELCOME TO MAHATMA GANDHI ONE SPOT COMPLETE INFORMATION WEBSITE. Web. 01 Oct. 2011. .
King has identified six main points of his doctrine. The first item King argued that passive resistance is not cowardice, but the group of strong people. Another highlight for the characterization of non-violence is that using it does not pursue to overthrow or shame the rival, but try to win his companionship and consideration. The next feature of the idea of nonviolence is that it is directed against evil, namely racial discrimination, not against the people standing on its defense. The fourth point here is the desire to make the supporters of King suffering without retaliation. Fifth paragraph defining the non-violent resistance is that it can help to avoid not only outside physical violence, as well as inside violence of spirit. That is, an adherent of non-violent resistance has neither right to cause physical pain to the enemy, nor to hate him. The principle of love is the center for non-violence. Six main characteristic of non-violent resistance is an understanding that justice is on the side of the world. Therefore, those who believe in nonviolence deeply believe in the future (King,
...es of past leaders Gandhi gained new perspective and subsequently avoided repeating the past; this lead him to attempt to embark upon a new path--one perceived as better for India. None of this would have been possible without the perspective gained through studying India’s brutal past. Subsequently his efforts and strategies were later emulated by other civil rights activists, effectively impacting the general society. Clearly, the perspective gained through looking back on one’s mistake would be impossible without adversity, which serves as the origin for remediation; society would not be able to progress without certain duress.
Thomas Aquinas’s philosophy of natural law allows one to better act for the common good than Gandhi’s philosophy of Satyagraha since it allows individuals and countries a way to justifiably defend themselves against those who wish to do them harm. Violence for the sake of violence is never justified, however, one must have the courage and strength to stand up to those who do evil and do what is necessary to stop them. It may come at a great personal cost, however, no matter what physical pain or injury one may endure, one should compromise their morality and turn a blind eye to evil.
Mohandas K. Gandhi, a great Indian philosopher, wrote the essay “My Faith in Nonviolence”. His essay focuses on the use of nonviolence means on overthrowing the British rule of India. Gandhi’s main claim on this essay is that love is the higher law of life and that “every problem lends itself to solution” (p. 203) , if we followed that law.
There is a considerable debate about the precise meaning of nonviolence. Some people believe that nonviolence is a philosophy and strategy for social change that rejects the use of violence. In other words, nonviolence is a method for resolving a conflict without the use of physical power nor enmity towards opponents. Instead, it emphasizes you to look beyond convictions and one’s urge for victory, it is the motto behind the saying “hate the sin and not the sinner”. For others it is a way of living and an essential part of their values and norms, for those people, nonviolence is the road which will lead them towards attaining inner piece and moral satisfaction. “Learn and teach nonviolence as a way of life; reflect it in attitude, speech and action” say’s Gerber in his article The Road to Nonviolence. Thus making nonviolence the ultimate behavior towards achieving truthful, spiritual, loving life. Mahatma Gandhi, the nonviolence guru, defines nonviolence as “a power which can be wielded equally by all-children, young men and women or grown-up people, provided they have a living faith in the God of Love and have therefore equal love for all mankind”. (mkgandhi.org) Therefore we understand that nonviolence has some terms and conditions to be met; living faith in God, truthfulness, humility, tolerance, loving kindness, honesty and the willingness to sacrifice. ...
Gandhi’s non-violent efforts to attain freedom and independence for India from British Colonial rule solidified his place in the annuals of time. His influence can be seen in many of the movements that have further the cause of human and civil rights from Africa to the United States. Gandhi refused to capitulate to pressures of oppressive and discriminative foreign rule and continued to speak out for his country and for those seen as “lower class”. Ultimately, it would be violence that would be Gandhi’s downfall when in 1948, he was assassinated by a fellow countryman. (Robert 2011) Nevertheless, throughout it life, he espoused the ideals of inner-strength, non-violence and concern for his fellow man. Many of these traits are evident in this image of him and represent his embrace of this type of freedom.
The. Mehta, Ved. Mahatma Gandhi and His Apostles. New York: Viking, 1977. Print.
Kumar, Ravindra. Mahatma Gandhi at the Close of Twentieth Century. New Delhi: Anmol Publications, 2004. Print.
Gandhi is motivated by religious means; he believes that everyone is equal in God’s eyes. He gets involved in several movements for equality, and he stresses non-violence very strongly. The Indians are very mad because British rule continues to limit their rights. They are supposed to all get fingerprinted, and their marriage laws are invalid. Gandhi’s followers vow to fight their oppressors to the death, but he discourages them from violence.
Since his time many leaders have been inspired by his example and anyone who tries to change the world for the better using peaceful means owes something to Gandhi.
...and, yet in generalizing, Gandhi only succeeds in weakening his case against Western Civilization. For it is impossible for such sins to be totally non-exist in India, even before direct English influence, and therefore forces the two nations to be equal in this respect. Gandhi is placing India on too high a pedestal to claim credence.
Conflict and violence is around us throughout the world and the mass media has made a huge impact of what we think of violence and the relation to religion, especially in the last couple of years. In addition violence has been considered as being part of human nature and comes from our biological structure of aggression. It is an out let for us to relieve stress levels and some believe that it can be a device of vengeance and a positive mechanism to human survival. For example it is a system for the survival of the fittest and reproduction. Another way that we can look at it on a different spectrum is the way religious beliefs utilise non violent mechanisms that try to diminish the impacts of aggressive behaviour. When we think of religion and violence we do not think to situate them together. This is because “theologically, it can certainly be concluded that all religions have the goal of peace” . People who are outsider of a religious tradition can make many generalisations. In this essay it will discuss why some religious traditions in South East Asia oppose violence. In addition the rejections of violence have shaped and changed religious practices within Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism. There have also been many generalisations about the above traditions. Moreover I will try and answer why non violence has become a generalisation and how it has impacted India as a whole.
The satyagraha was carefully planned. The demonstration was based on the concept of ahimsa, which means non-violence or the refusal to do harm. This was important because in order for the workers to get their demands met, they needed the millowners ...