Fate of Gandhi's Heritage: Honoring or Oblivion?
What is the fate of the spiritual heritage of Mahatma Gandhi as the "Apostle of non-violence" and "The Father of Nation? Whether it retains its relevance for India and for the world as a whole? Who, how and why demonstrates too bombastic reverence, behind which hides the deception and oblivion? In search of answers to the questions raised, the article recalls the most relevant features of the comprehensive project of Nonviolence: the advancing of high ideas along with specific large-scale actions to implement them; the achievement of the goals, seemingly utopian, by courageous tenacity backed by a realistic assessment of the situation and a pragmatic choice of the ways to victorious fight. The nonviolent strategy has been formulated in the light of the actual conditions and opportunities: the expulsion of the colonizers by using violent tactics inevitably would result in longstanding bloodshed. "Waking up" Indians to liberation movement required a differentiated approach that takes into account the mental warehouse and heterogeneous interests of the population. Satyagraha was the effective way of attracting to the protest movement. Gandhi had shown an amazing realistic pragmatism in selecting individual approach to Muslims, untouchables, women. His project for the future meant the transformation of India in "Ramarajya" as "Kingdom of Justice" rather than in "Hindu Rashtra" - a project of the Hindu radicalism - committed to archaic traditions and legal provisions. Paying tribute to Gandhi, it would be unforgivable to approach to his heritage uncritically, accepting, for example, his relentless criticism of modernization. Perhaps Gandhi's position was justified at a time when the main objective was to regain freedom from colonialism. Gandhi’s methods of struggle were characterized by peaceful nature, but they chased the revolutionary goal to overthrow the power of the metropolis. At that time any idealization of Western civilization could not be attractive to the masses. To combine into a broad national movement, motivated by high ethical ideals, it was needed that message, which had been carried by Gandhi. Today India is a sovereign state. It has become one of the leading powers of the world. To go ahead to the complete elimination of poverty and inequality, to become one of the poles of the future civilization, India should chose its orientation maintaining lean attitude toward its cultural heritage and the ability of its critical evaluation. Incredible praising, misrepresentation, or oblivion equally insults the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. They are no less damaging for the contemporaries and for future generations.