From Gandhi to a Gandhian by Ashwini Shanker

From Gandhi to a Gandhian

Today is the birth anniversary of two legends of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. While Mahatma Gandhi led the nation to freedom from foreign rule, Lal Bahadur Shastri contributed immensely to the reconstruction of the nation. While we mark the beginning of 150th birth anniversary of Gandhi it is incumbent on us to remember his contributions to the freedom struggle. His moderate techniques of prayersand petitions worked out essentially in the struggle against racial discrimination affecting Indians in South Africa in his three campaigns of passive resistance , made him virtually into an All India figure in India , while other leaders essentially had regional bases. Non-violence/ahimsa owing something to Emerson, Thoreau and Tolstoy did nonetheless reveal tremendous amount of originality; although his insistence that violence being preferable to cowardly surrender did create problems of interpretations. The basic Gandhian style, however, involving careful training of disciplined cadres, on-violent Satyagraha including peaceful violation of draconian laws, occasional hartals, spectacular marches, combined with his limited appeal of Political Swaraj(as outlined in Hind Swaraj) and travelling third class, speaking in simple Hindustani and using imagery of Tulsidas’s Ramayana and of course the message of Khadi and village reconstruction did acquire wider dimensions. Gandhian perception at Champaran his successful intervention at Kheda and peaceful arbitration during Ahmedabad Mill strike did send a message of class peace and mutual adjustments but at times went beyond his limits too. As colonial rule itself was an oppression of the people of India, Gandhi was against all forms of oppression which manifested itself in Rowlatt Satyagraha, Non-Cooperation movement, Civil Disobedience movement, Quit India movement and many more movements. Gandhi did not confine himself to political freedom only but also freedom from various social ills – untouchability being one of them. His struggle of independence is a source of inspiration for one and all. It is indeed sad that intolerance has reached the highest ebb in the country today. If Gandhi was relevant in Tiannamen square yesterday, he has been relevant in his land all along but he is more relevant in India today.

Another legend who is remembered today is the second Prime Minister of India Lal Bahadur Shastri. Known for his simplicity and humble background, he was a true Gandhian who joined the freedom struggle in 1920s. Lal Bahadur Shastri received his early education with a Muslim cleric at Mughal Sarai and then moved to take up further education at Varanasi until he completed his Graduation, and given the title of ‘Shastri’/a degree given to graduates in Kashi Vidyapeeṭh. As he denounced caste system he decided to drop his surname to include Shastri in his name. Deeply influenced by the philosophy of Swami Vivekanand, Annie Besant and Mahatma Gandhi,he started attending public meetings of Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya at an early age of 10. In response to Gandhi’s call to withdraw from governments schools, Lal Bahadur Shastri withdrew from Harish Chandra school and joined the non-cooperation movement, became a volunteer and joined all demonstrations/marches against the oppressive colonial rule. An active member of Lok Seva Mandal founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, he began to work for the betterment/upliftment of Harijans under Gandhi’s directions. As an active member of the Congress Party, Lal Bahadur Shastri took part in Salt Satyagraha in I930 and Satyagraha call in UP and was imprisonedon both the occasions. During Quit India Movement, he carried out his nationalists activities from Anand Bhawan in Allahabad and was again imprisoned. As an organising secretary in 1937 in UP and AICC General Secretary, he was responsible for publicity and selection of candidates. As minister of Transport in GB Pant’sministry, Lal Bahadur Shastri is credited with induction of women conductors in UP. Imbued with Nehruvian Socialism, Lal Bahadur Shastri became the first Cabinet Minister for Railways of the Republic of India and later rose to becomethe Prime Minister of India. Among his achievements were white revolution, adroit handling of anti-Hindi riots and crushing defeat on Pakistan. While his slogan Jai Jawan, ‘Jai Kisaan’ echoe our minds, Lal Bahadur Shastri should always be remembered as role modelin ‘Indian Politics’.

 

Ashwini Shanker

Chairman,INTEC

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