I was reading this article on Christie's decision not to bring Gandhiji's letter under the hammer and went through a debate by a group people on the essence and righteousness of Gandhiji's policies, ideologies, practices etc. ( http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jul/02gandhi.htm )
Gandhi, a phenomenon in himself has drawn a huge following both of fans and critics. I had discussed Gandhi with many of my friends and found that either people idolize him or completely berate him. There are extremeties in their perception of Gandhi and his policies.
Who is Gandhi? Why so much of emotional aggressiveness when people talk of him? Why any issue associated with him stir up whole of the nation drawing cries from all quarters?
Well I will try to reflect upon these questions here based on my perceptions and my understanding.
For me Gandhi was just another man fighting for the cause of his countrymen and I respect him for the same. He did what he felt as correct and what he learnt from his life and experiences. His thinking was different from the league, preached and practiced a new way of fighting which may sound absurd in the present world (though Munnabhai tried to change this perception). Its possible that the way he preached was not the fastest way for gaining independence but sure it was the safest and least destructive.
Coming to Why so much of emotion stirring in the name of Gandhi. The answer lies in the fact that Gandhi touched the life of almost all Indians one way or the other. In a time when India was reeling under the British Raj, he gave the people a ray of hope, a small window of options.
For some it was a Hobson's choice (in Hindi as they say.. Majboori ka naam Mahatma Gandhi) while others were impressed by his stauch belief in non-violence and satyagraha.
Also the repercussions of his actions, rather initiatives were widespread and overwhelming. Guiding a huge country like India with immense diversities is in itself a Herculean task. The contradictions embedded in our social structure was bound to have not so favorable results. A strand pulled here would surely effect the social fabric on the other side. Its practically impossible to appease all the sections in one go which results in resentment for some or may be many. Being the face of the Indian struggle for freedom, I guess Bapu has to bear the slandering of the uncontented.
Though enough has been written and re-written about him, showering a mix of accolades and aspersions, yet the perception each forms about him is an individial's decision. How one perceives his works and ideology depends a lot the course he/she has tread so far. But one thing is for sure the demand for Gandhi (or his works) has remained as fervent as ever and there is no sign of its diminishing in the near future.
