10-24-2006, 04:25 AM
<!--QuoteBegin-k.ram+Oct 24 2006, 04:10 AM-->QUOTE(k.ram @ Oct 24 2006, 04:10 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin--><!--QuoteBegin-acharya+Oct 23 2006, 10:08 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(acharya @ Oct 23 2006, 10:08 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->
I agree with the gist of your post. But Gandhi influenced every nook and corner of the country. He was able to awaken the masses as never before and changed the political map of India.
[right][snapback]59569[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The simple reason is the prevailing conditions. People wanted some "direct action", and they were completely unarmed (Indian Arms Act, after 1857), which deprived all Indians, excluding Europeans living in India, of their right to have in their possession any arms of any kind. Now, what do you fight with, when leaders are all part of "debating society" and elite of those days who showed nothing else - no other option. Masses were already awake - Gandhi had little to do with it. Peculiar historio-social-political conditions, misinterpretation and misapplication of Ahimsa/karma/bhakti of the "nation of cowards" (As Gandhi called India), and previous violent struggles (by illicit arms) which failed to resonate with Indians in intertial. Gandhi merely exploited it.
[right][snapback]59582[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Let Gandhi sleep in peace. We need to have good burial for present Gandhism. Gandhi might have been relevant before 47, not so now in 21st century.
I agree with the gist of your post. But Gandhi influenced every nook and corner of the country. He was able to awaken the masses as never before and changed the political map of India.
[right][snapback]59569[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The simple reason is the prevailing conditions. People wanted some "direct action", and they were completely unarmed (Indian Arms Act, after 1857), which deprived all Indians, excluding Europeans living in India, of their right to have in their possession any arms of any kind. Now, what do you fight with, when leaders are all part of "debating society" and elite of those days who showed nothing else - no other option. Masses were already awake - Gandhi had little to do with it. Peculiar historio-social-political conditions, misinterpretation and misapplication of Ahimsa/karma/bhakti of the "nation of cowards" (As Gandhi called India), and previous violent struggles (by illicit arms) which failed to resonate with Indians in intertial. Gandhi merely exploited it.
[right][snapback]59582[/snapback][/right]
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Let Gandhi sleep in peace. We need to have good burial for present Gandhism. Gandhi might have been relevant before 47, not so now in 21st century.