Mahatma Gandhi remains the respected figure for the entire world, yet generations can always disagree with legends too. With time human brain evolves, therefore restricting oneself to the past will hamper growth. Disagreement and critical analysis are often misunderstood as a tendency of ‘Finding fault’ which is just an assumption.
Gandhi was a Hindu yet he was secular
Some people even if they are great leaders, bureaucrats, or the highest educated can't overcome their fear of God and religion as it has been inherited in our genes generations after generations.
There has been so much good to learn from Gandhi, but the focus remains on the negatives. The truth is - his presence can not be avoided in Indian history. He is not what you may often hear in school even from teachers, that Gandhi allowed India's partition and he supported British Rule, he was against schedule cast and rumors go on.
We have a habit of trusting our elders, and leaders, who don't even have a verified source yet advocate myths without understanding the consequences of their actions. Youngsters should not be taught to judge but to see critically things including their elders. Respect should not mean 'blind trust'. Respect has full chances of disagreements and only tyrants get offended due to disagreements.
Gandhi was a caste - Believer?
If Gandhi supported the caste system, that was his belief. There are various articles that circulate over the internet against Gandhi, - which turn him into a villain without a reasonable discussion. He believed in Karma, and a a personal level I don't believe in Karma or caste or god or Hinduism.
Gandhi was even critical to many social practices among
Hindus yet he believed that religion is the source of morality. At the same
time, he believed that no religion is perfect, hence none of them can be
regarded as greatest.
Gandhi also believed that to try to root out religion from
society if wild goose to chase and were such attempt succeed, it would mean the destruction of society.
Practically he feared without facts but that is basic human nature, yet at that time perhaps pieces of evidence were not available. For example, in today s world, if there is a comparison between highly religious countries versus a country filled with an atheist population, like Denmark, one can easily compare the crime rate and human rights
between these countries
Gandhi also wanted to bring religion into politics, yet his
intentions remains good. However, the policy can not be formed on belief.
The best thing he said was,-“ There is no such thing such as
Gandhism, and I do not want to leave any sect after me. I do not claim to have
originated any new principle or doctrine I have simply tried my ways to apply
eternal truths to our daily life problems… The opinions I have formed and the
conclusion I have arrived at are a bit final, I may change them tomorrow. I have
nothing new to teach the world, Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills"
Gandhi supported the empowerment of women and the removal of
untouchability. He is among the most misunderstood and misinterpreted leaders
of the Indian Soil. People use his name to criticize him often, yet if you read
about him carefully he did not block thinking of generations. Neither he tried
to stop generations to grow. He experimented in his lifetime as a human, it is our tendency to treat humans at the parameter of perfection.
Apart from his religious beliefs, there is a great contribution of him, which unwillingly or willingly people have to accept. He carried the legacy of Bal Gangadhar Tilak and kept India united. No doubt, he was religious but secular in nature.
- Namrata Chauhan
Note- The article has been republished with the Authors permission.
Original Article can be read on-
