M.K. Gandhi

Mahatma Gandhi was a political and spiritual leader who played a key role in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. He was also a philosopher who developed a unique set of ideas that continue to influence people around the world. Here are a few key philosophical thoughts of Gandhi:

• Satyagraha: Satyagraha is a term that Gandhi coined to describe his philosophy of nonviolent resistance. He believed that nonviolent resistance was a powerful tool for social and political change, and that it was a way of standing up for truth and justice without resorting to violence or aggression.

Instances where Satyagraha was used within India

1. Non-Cooperation Movement: In 1920, Gandhi launched the Non-Cooperation Movement against the British colonial rule in India. The movement involved boycotting British institutions, including courts, schools, and government offices. The aim was to show the British that the Indian people were united and determined to achieve independence. 
2. Salt Satyagraha: In 1930, Gandhi led the Salt Satyagraha, also known as the Salt March. The British had a monopoly on salt production in India, and Gandhi led a 240-mile march to the sea to collect salt in protest of the British salt tax. The Salt Satyagraha inspired many Indians to join the independence movement. 
3. Quit India Movement: In 1942, Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement, calling for the British to leave India immediately. The movement involved nonviolent protests, strikes, and civil disobedience. Thousands of Indians were arrested, and many were killed, but the movement played a significant role in India’s eventual independence in 1947. 
4. Harijan Campaign: Gandhi was a staunch advocate for the rights of the untouchables, also known as Harijans. In the 1930s, he launched a campaign to end discrimination against them, which included the promotion of inter-caste marriages and the use of Satyagraha to challenge discriminatory practices. 
5. Kheda Satyagraha: In 1918, when a famine struck the Kheda district of Gujarat, Gandhi led a Satyagraha campaign to demand relief measures from the British government. The campaign involved a boycott of the British government’s revenue collection, which eventually resulted in the government providing relief measures to the people.

International events where Satyagraha was used

1. Civil Rights Movement (United States, 1954-1968): African Americans in the United States used nonviolent resistance, inspired by Gandhi’s Satyagraha, to challenge segregation and racism. Leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. organized sit-ins, boycotts, and marches to demand equal rights and justice for Black Americans.
2. Velvet Revolution (Czechoslovakia, 1989): In Czechoslovakia, nonviolent protests and strikes were used to demand the end of communist rule. The movement, which began in November 1989, culminated in the collapse of the communist government and the establishment of a democratic state.
3. Anti-Apartheid Movement (South Africa, 1948-1994): South Africans, led by Nelson Mandela and other activists, used nonviolent resistance to challenge apartheid, a system of racial segregation and discrimination. The movement involved boycotts, strikes, and civil disobedience, and ultimately resulted in the end of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic government in South Africa.
4. Salt March (Bangladesh, 1971): In Bangladesh, a group of activists organized a Salt March, inspired by Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha, to protest against the Pakistani military regime. The march, which took place in March 1971, involved a 240-mile journey from Dhaka to the Bay of Bengal to collect salt. The movement was part of the larger struggle for independence, which was achieved later that year.
5. Solidarity Movement (Poland, 1980-1989): In Poland, workers and intellectuals used nonviolent resistance to challenge the communist government’s authority. The movement, led by Lech Walesa and other activists, involved strikes, protests, and civil disobedience. The movement played a significant role in the collapse of the communist regime in Poland and the establishment of a democratic government.

• Ahimsa: Ahimsa is the principle of nonviolence, which Gandhi saw as a cornerstone of his philosophy. He believed that nonviolence was not only a political tactic, but a way of life that could transform individuals and society. He saw ahimsa as a way of cultivating compassion, empathy, and love for all living beings.

Nonviolent resistance was a central philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi’s political activism, and it played a key role in India’s struggle for independence from British rule. Gandhi’s approach to nonviolent resistance was rooted in his belief in the power of truth and the inherent goodness of human beings. He believed that nonviolence was the most effective means of achieving social and political change, and that it could be used to overcome even the most oppressive forms of government. Gandhi’s nonviolent resistance involved a range of tactics, including protests, strikes, and boycotts. One of his most famous protests was the Salt March of 1930, in which he and thousands of followers walked over 240 miles to the Arabian Sea to collect salt in defiance of British salt taxes. This peaceful act of civil disobedience drew international attention and helped to galvanize the Indian independence movement. Gandhi’s approach to nonviolent resistance emphasized the importance of disciplined action, personal sacrifice, and the willingness to suffer for one’s cause. He believed that nonviolence required a deep commitment to truth and justice, and that it could only be effective if it was practiced with sincerity and courage. Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance inspired other movements for civil rights and social justice around the world, including the US civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr. and the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa led by Nelson Mandela. These movements demonstrated the power of nonviolence to bring about social and political change, and they continue to inspire activists around the world today.

• Swaraj: Swaraj is the Hindi word for self-rule, and it was a key concept in Gandhi’s political philosophy. He believed that India could only achieve true independence if it was based on the principles of democracy, decentralization, and self-sufficiency. He saw swaraj as a way of empowering ordinary people and creating a more just and equitable society.

• Sarvodaya: Sarvodaya is a term that Gandhi used to describe his vision of a society in which all people have equal access to resources and opportunities. He believed that this could only be achieved through a combination of economic and social reforms, including the abolition of untouchability, the promotion of women’s rights, and the empowerment of the poor and marginalized.

• Truth and simplicity: Gandhi believed that truth and simplicity were essential to a meaningful and fulfilling life. He saw truth as the ultimate goal of human existence, and simplicity as a way of achieving it. He lived a simple life himself, and believed that material possessions and wealth were not necessary for happiness and fulfillment.

• Trusteeship: Gandhi advocated for a system of trusteeship, where wealth and resources are held in trust for the benefit of society as a whole.

Idea of Schooling

Mahatma Gandhi envisioned a type of schooling that was rooted in his philosophy of education. He believed that education should be based on the principle of “Nai Talim” or “Basic Education”. According to Gandhi, the purpose of education was not just to acquire knowledge but to prepare individuals for life. He believed that education should be accessible to all, regardless of their social or economic background. In his view, education should be designed to develop a person’s physical, intellectual, and moral capacities, and should be grounded in the values of truth, nonviolence, and social justice. Gandhi’s vision of education was also deeply connected to the idea of Swaraj, or self-rule. He believed that education should empower individuals to become self-sufficient and self-reliant, and should equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to participate actively in their own communities and contribute to the larger society. Gandhi’s idea of Basic Education involved a curriculum that was designed to meet the needs of the community, and included subjects such as agriculture, animal husbandry, health and hygiene, and vocational skills. He believed that students should learn by doing, and that education should be practical, experiential, and relevant to the lives of the students.