The Spirit of Resistance: Lessons from Gandhi’s Journey
Opinion
Gandhi’s teachings remain relevant today, reminding us that non-violence and truth are powerful tools in the quest for justice. His life inspires ongoing efforts to combat oppression and inequality around the world
By S. Chidambaram
Mass mobilization and movements against injustice of all kinds have become even more necessary these days. On October 2, many will take a moment to reflect on the Mahatma and draw inspiration from his struggle to continue their fight for emancipation.
On January 30, 1948, at 4:30 PM, Mahatma Gandhi was on his way to the prayer ground in the large park near his home. A congregation of 500 was waiting for him for the evening prayer. As he approached the ground, he brought his palms together to greet the crowd. A man emerged from the crowd and fired two shots at him. Gandhi murmured, “Hey Ram,” and a third shot rang out. On that Friday, Mahatma Gandhi died as a private citizen. He had no wealth, no property, no office title, nor any academic distinction. He had liberated his country from the British yoke, and India’s liberation marked the beginning of the end of the British Empire.
Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat. In the coming days, many will reflect on the man who became a world symbol in the fight against oppression and poverty. It was in South Africa that Gandhi forged the tools and techniques to combat evil in the world. There he united all Indians — merchants, indentured labourers, Hindus, and Muslims — to fight against racism and oppression. His Satyagraha, which literally means insistence on truth, and his conception of non-violence were shaped by the unique conditions of South Africa. For Gandhi, Satyagraha was a means of avoiding violence; it was also an infallible weapon that oppressed individuals could use to confront all forms of injustice.
By the time he returned to India in 1915, these techniques had been refined. Through Satyagraha and Ashahayoga, he developed methods of agitation that he placed at the service of the Indian National Congress. Once he became convinced that British rulers in India had become oppressive and unscrupulous, he began a relentless struggle to end British rule. He transformed the Indian National Congress from an elitist party into a mass national movement, solidified the organization, and brought in leaders from every level of Indian society. He mobilized untouchables, peasants, women, and upper-class workers from both the Hindus and the Muslims behind Congress, giving new momentum to Indian nationalism. Read More… Become a Subscriber
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 27 September 2024
An Appeal
Dear Reader
65 years ago Mauritius Times was founded with a resolve to fight for justice and fairness and the advancement of the public good. It has never deviated from this principle no matter how daunting the challenges and how costly the price it has had to pay at different times of our history.
With print journalism struggling to keep afloat due to falling advertising revenues and the wide availability of free sources of information, it is crucially important for the Mauritius Times to survive and prosper. We can only continue doing it with the support of our readers.
The best way you can support our efforts is to take a subscription or by making a recurring donation through a Standing Order to our non-profit Foundation.
Thank you.
Related Posts
-
Port Louis: Capital Punishment
No Comments | Mar 1, 2016
-
Le Terrible Gâchis
No Comments | Mar 9, 2021
-
Moving from Gloom to Boom (and back?)
No Comments | Mar 22, 2016
-
Exercising Our Right to Vote
No Comments | Oct 28, 2019