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    Gandhism: Dr. Ramesh Chandra Sethi Assistant Professor (Pol. SC.) School of Law KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

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    - Gandhism refers to the political philosophy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, though he denied there being a philosophy called "Gandhism". It is based on the principles of non-violence (ahimsa), upliftment of all people (sarvodaya), and resisting injustice through non-violent means (satyagraha). - Gandhi advocated for decentralization of power, individual rights coupled with duties, an ideal state without political power where people govern themselves through non-violence, and politics informed by ethics and morality rather than religious beliefs. - Key concepts in Gandhism include ahimsa, satyagraha techniques like non-co

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    Gandhism: Dr. Ramesh Chandra Sethi Assistant Professor (Pol. SC.) School of Law KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

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    Riya Lal
    66 views17 pages
    - Gandhism refers to the political philosophy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, though he denied there being a philosophy called "Gandhism". It is based on the principles of non-violence (ahimsa), upliftment of all people (sarvodaya), and resisting injustice through non-violent means (satyagraha). - Gandhi advocated for decentralization of power, individual rights coupled with duties, an ideal state without political power where people govern themselves through non-violence, and politics informed by ethics and morality rather than religious beliefs. - Key concepts in Gandhism include ahimsa, satyagraha techniques like non-co

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    - Gandhism refers to the political philosophy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, though he denied there being a philosophy called "Gandhism". It is based on the principles of non-violence (ahimsa), upliftment of all people (sarvodaya), and resisting injustice through non-violent means (satyagraha). - Gandhi advocated for decentralization of power, individual rights coupled with duties, an ideal state without political power where people govern themselves through non-violence, and politics informed by ethics and morality rather than religious beliefs. - Key concepts in Gandhism include ahimsa, satyagraha techniques like non-co

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    66 views17 pages

    Gandhism: Dr. Ramesh Chandra Sethi Assistant Professor (Pol. SC.) School of Law KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha

    Uploaded by

    Riya Lal
    - Gandhism refers to the political philosophy of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, though he denied there being a philosophy called "Gandhism". It is based on the principles of non-violence (ahimsa), upliftment of all people (sarvodaya), and resisting injustice through non-violent means (satyagraha). - Gandhi advocated for decentralization of power, individual rights coupled with duties, an ideal state without political power where people govern themselves through non-violence, and politics informed by ethics and morality rather than religious beliefs. - Key concepts in Gandhism include ahimsa, satyagraha techniques like non-co

    Copyright:

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    of 17

    Gandhism

    Dr. Ramesh Chandra Sethi


    Assistant Professor (Pol. Sc.)
    School of Law
    KIIT University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
    Why do we learn from the Ideology - Gandhism ?
    • Concept of Gandhism
    • The life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948)
    Gandhian Political Thought - The Contribution of M.K. Gandhi
    The Concept of Ahimsa (Non-Violence)
    Sarvodaya (Upliftment of All)
    The Doctrine of Satyagraha (the force born of truth and non-violence)
    • Different Techniques of Satyagraha (Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience, Hijrat, Fasting, Strike)
    Gandhiji’s views on State
    Ideal State & Ram Rajya
    Swaraj & Freedom
    Democracy
    Gandhiji’s Ideas on Religion, Ethics & Politics
    Decentralization
    Rights and Duties
    Relevance of Gandhian philosophy in the 21st Century
    Conclusion followed by Q & A
    Concept of Gandhism

    • The political philosophy of M.K. Gandhi is known as Gandhism, but


    he himself denied that there was anything as “Gandhism”.

    • But there were a set of ideas of Gandhi, which have exercised


    enormous influence on different people around the world in the same
    way as others ideologies have

    • “I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and non-violence are
    as old as the hills” – M.K Gandhi.
    The life of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948)
    • Born on 2nd October, 1869 at Porbandar in Kathiawar of Gujarat
    • Father - Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi, also known as Kaba Gandhi, was Dewan of Porbandar &
    Rajkot, Gujarat
    • Mother - Putlibai, a housewife & deeply religious minded woman of Hinduism
    • Wife - Kasturba Makanji (Gandhi was married at the age of 13)
    • In 1888, Gandhi had completed his schooling, was not happy at college & left London to study Law while
    he was only18 years old
    • Completed Law in the year 1891 & returned to India, he struggled to establish himself as a Lawer in India,
    & in April 1893, he left to Natal (a State), South Africa
    • Gandhi returned to India in 1914 & dedicated his remaining life to the cause of his motherland
    • The period 1920-1948 of freedom struggle was called as the “Gandhi Era”
    • Under his leadership (along with others), India got independence on 15th August, 1947
    • On 30th January, 1948, he was shot dead by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu fanatic
    • Gandhi was called as Bapuji or Mahatma & he is remembered as “Father of the Nation” by all of us
    Gandhian Political Thought - The Contribution of M.K. Gandhi

    The Concept of Ahimsa (Non-Violence)

    •Ahimsa means non-injury or non-killing or the abstention of hostile


    thought, word or act.

    •The active ahimsa includes truth & fearlessness

    •Gandhi had equated ahimsa more or less with humility, forgiveness, love,
    charity, selflessness, fearlessness, strength, & non-attachment etc.

    •Ahimsa is the most superior force against wickedness, it does not teach
    cowardice but it presupposes the ability to strive.

    •It is “soul force” against all injustice, brutality, tyranny & wickedness. It
    is what light is to darkness.
    Gandhi was not against violence in total. He advocated the
    practice of violence in 4 fields
    • 1. State, 2.Internal disturbances, 3. External War, 4. Family
    • Gandhi said “I have conceded that even in a non-violent State,
    police force is necessary but police should act as the servant
    & not as the master of the people.
    • He recommended punishment to the law breakers
    • Ahimsa is the quality of the strong & the brave without fear
    • Non-violence provides full protection to one’s self respect
    • Non-violence is the first & last article of faith to achieve
    something
    Sarvodaya (Upliftment of All)

    • It means the establishment of new social order on the basis of love & non-violence
    • It is a powerful intellectual movement to attain social, moral & economic
    independence as envisaged by Gandhiji
    • It creates a social order from every form of authority, it is a way of realization of
    non-violent socialism
    • Sarvodaya implies the welfare of all citizens & welfare of the society as a whole

    • It believes the values of equality, freedom & fraternity have great relevance for the
    development of the society in paving way for an integrated social order.

    • It aims to replace the politics of power by the politics of cooperation


    • It makes an effort for the moral uplift of the rich & the material uplift of the poor
    for the welfare of all the citizens
    • Sarvodaya philosophy believes for a Stateless & classless society & emphasizes on
    self-sufficient village community system
    The Doctrine of Satyagraha
    • It means how to resist & transform the untruthful & violent system of
    social & political power in a Gandhian non-violent way

    • To achieve political ends, a Satyagrahi should have 3 articles of faith: (i)


    belief in non-violence, (ii) no govt. without cooperation of people, (iii)
    self-suffering & sacrifice

    • It is based on the concept of suffering to attain truth

    • Gandhi believes, satyagraha is a philosophy of life & politics. It is a


    inherent birth right of a person.

    • Satyagraha is a inalienable right that may be considered as a right


    antecedent to the State
    • It is a weapon for the vindication of individual’s rights as against the
    oppressive, & coercive attitude of the oppressor
    Different Techniques of Satyagraha
    Non-Cooperation: When people follow non-cooperation, the oppressor will be
    obliged to listen patiently to all demands of the opponent. The methods are the
    following:

    • Hartal - It means stoppage of all commercial activities

    • Social Boycott or Social ostracism - Gandhiji suggested those who defied public
    opinion should be socially boycotted.

    Civil Disobedience - People should not obey unjust & anti-social laws

    Hijrat - Voluntary exile from one’s permanent place of habitation who feels
    oppressed either in view of self-respect or honorable living

    Fasting -It is a fiery weapon of Satyagraha

    Strike - Another manifestation of Satyagraha for demanding justice for


    legitimate cause as well as redressal of grievances of people.
    Gandhiji’s views on State:
    State is the embodiment of Power & Force: State as a soulless machine &
    Gandhiji was against the idea of State Sovereignty
    • Ideal State - Political power means capacity to regulate national life through
    national representatives & in ideal State there is no political power, because
    there is no State
    • He said the purest anarchy would be democracy based on non-violence &
    people are governed the least.
    • Rama Rajya: The idea of Rama Rajya is based upon one’s adherence to
    Satya & Ahimsa
    • Satya will be used to combat every form of social & political injustice
    • Rama Rajya - Land & State belong to the people. Freedoms are guaranteed
    to the people.
    The features of Rama Rajya are - Decentralization, Non-possession, &
    Trusteeship etc.
    Swaraj & Freedom

    • Gandhiji’s said Swaraj (self rule) means freedom that is only


    possible if we will get national independence

    • Swaraj is for all people irrespective of their race & religion

    • He was agreed with Lokmanya Tilk who said “Swaraj is my


    birth right”

    • According to Gandhi-freedom is liberty related to morality & it


    is the fruit of suffering

    • Freedom imposes restraints upon itself, for a sake of society, so


    that the individual can enjoy exclusive privileges
    Democracy
    • Gandhiji believes that power belongs to the people.
    • The real democracy is possible when people will rule themselves not
    by the ruling class that takes place in western societies in the form of
    exploitation of its interests at the cost of people in the name of
    parliamentary democracy
    • He criticizes western democracy for their imperialistic and
    capitalistic tendencies
    • Gandhiji was opposed to majority principles of democracy, where
    minority and individuals views are not taken into the consideration
    • An individual’s opinion has greater value if it is greater weight than
    the opinion of many if that opinion is based on sound on merits
    • He said the weakest should have the opportunity as the strongest in a
    democracy
    Religion, Ethics & Politics
    • According to Gandhi, religion & politics must go hand in hand, politics is
    essential as religion (religious values than with religious beliefs).

    • Fundamental ethics is common to all religions but not based on religious


    superstitions

    • Politics, bereft of religion are death-trap because they kill the soul

    • Religion means not particular religion like Hinduism but based on truth and
    ahimsa

    • Gandhiji was wholly against State religion, State should be secular& religion is
    purely personal matter

    • He rejected coercion in the field of religion as he believes in ethics and morality


    as means

    • Gandhiji never compromised with fundamental moral & ethical basis of politics
    Decentralization
    • Gandhiji focused on decentralization of power because
    centralization as a system is inconsistent with a non-violent
    structure of society

    • Decentralization & voluntary cooperation were the two essential


    features of the non-violent State

    • He had suggested to give full power to the Panchayats, so that


    every village had to be self-sustained & capable of managing its
    own affairs

    • All the villages would be united loosely by a bond of spiritual


    unity & social cooperation

    • All social problems will be solved through ahimsa, truth & love
    Rights and Duties
    • Gandhiji had advocated for Individual freedom, liberty, rights of men
    & women & emphasized on duties

    • He believed that rights are essential because they contributed to the


    development of personality but moral training was a prior condition
    for the enjoyment of rights.

    • He integrated the rights of a person with his moral duties

    • Gandhiji emphasized on performance of duties or the theory of karma

    • According to him, true rights can be obtained from services

    • If people insists on rights & not on duties, there will be social


    disruption and hinder social progress
    Relevance of Gandhian philosophy in the 21st Century
    World vexed with Intolerance & Extremism

    The World is moving towards another World War

    Challenging issues like: Terrorism & Factionalism

    Growing violence in every corner of the world

    Missing the true human values and harmonious coexistence


    Reference:
    Dr. S.R. Myneni, “Political Science”, Allahabad Law
    Agency, Law Publishers, Faridabad, 2014, pp. 534-555.

    Read - Gandhism and Gandhian Philosophy from any


    good book.

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