Gandhian Philosophy can be seen as the concrete mixture of Knowledge of Society, Law, Economics and Literature, with life experience, Ethical concern and Political implementation. It’s not just about Success but also the means which should be followed to get it. Gandhi was the leader who had the most success during his Political Life. It was not just because of strategies but the aura he built among the Indians as well as Britishers.
Tools of Gandhian Philosophy
Gandhi’s life was a part of the independence struggle of India. So, his philosophy depends upon two parameters: first is “what should be the weapon to fight against Britishers” and second one is “What should be the Philosophy of India as a Nation”. The tools of Gandhian Philosophy are interlinked.
Ahimsa (Non violence)
Gandhi beliefs on killing of sin not the sinner, sin can be killed with the help of persuasion. We also know that violence perpetuates violence. It was also a strategic tool against Britishers because the freedom fighters didn’t have enough resources to fight with the help of arm and ammunition.
Satyagraha (Demand for Truth)
It is a form of protest, the idea behind this concept is if something unjust is happening then on the basis of facts a Satyagrahi demands Justice. Gandhi explains the quality of satyagrahi like truth, non-violence, moral discipline, control of senses etc. As in the case of Champaran Satyagraha Gandhi unveiled the exploitative Tinkathiya system and demanded justice for Farmers.
Non-Cooperation
It is also linked with Ahimsa. The idea behind this thought is “We are not opposing you but we are also not going to support”. A way of showing Apathy. In the Non-Cooperation Movement people had shown apathy towards foreign goods, Law and action.
Civil Disobedience
Where Non-Cooperation is about showing apathy, but Civil Disobedience is about Showing antipathy. Here break Civil Laws non-violently and they are ready to be jailed. It is quite an aggressive version of non-cooperation.
Read about The Obsession of Government Jobs
The next coming tools of Gandhian Philosophy are about the future perspective of India.
Seven sins
These are ethical principles which explains how a worthy thing becomes nothing if it is not in the right combination.
- Wealth without Work
- Pleasure without Conscience
- Knowledge without Character
- Commerce without Morality
- Science without Humanity
- Religion without Sacrifice
- Politics without Principle
If these principles are not in the right positions then it will lead to corruption of mind.
Tolerance
India is a country of multiple religions, culture, language and ethnicity. It becomes crucial to tolerate other behavior and also respect others emotions. Gandhian Philosophy particularly talks about Religious Tolerance, because at the time of freedom movement unity among Indian was very important.
Doctrine of Trusteeship
This concept is quite close to socialism, it implies that wealth should be transferred to lower levels (poor people). But in socialism, the State has the responsibility to equally distribute the resources and in Trusteeship according to Gandhian Philosophy, the people who have more should help those who have deficit. It totally depends upon the conscience of the Trustee. The Bhoodan Movement is an example of Trusteeship.
Village Republic
Gandhi gave too much importance to villages. Because he believes that a village is a complete economic system. After independence, to give effect to this part of Gandhian philosophy, the Community Development Programme had been started.
Gandhian Philosophy and relation with History
As a great learner Gandhi learned a lot from History. Many elements of Gandhian Philosophy have symbolic relation with historical events, philosophy and Personality. Like:-
- The concept of Ahimsa was taught by Buddha and Mahaveer.
- India and Indians were always tolerant to foreigners in the same way he used this concept for Hindu Muslim unity.
- Truth is one of the core elements of Indian Philosophies; we can find it in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and in many more.
- Fighting spirit, although the way is modern (non-cooperation and civil disobedience) to people but the same method was used by the people of Khejari village of Rajasthan during Chipko Movement.
Gandhi and Present India
The Philosophy of Gandhi and his contribution to the Nation is too strong. That’s why we call him Father of The Nation. As a symbol of honour we also have Gandhi’s picture in the Currency of India. the elements of Gandhian Philosophy we can also find in Directive Principles of State’s Policy (DPSP). Like local self Governance, Prohibition of Intoxicants (You can read about Liquor Policy by clicking here) , Safety and preservation of milching animals etc.