Reflections on Satyagraha in Today’s India

Abstract

Following Mahatma Gandhi is inspiring. But at the same time, it also brings certain feelings of guilt because one needs to follow not only his politics but also his ethics and thinking. Today neither Gandhi nor Gandhism has survived, not in our economy, not in our politics and certainly not in our society. Still, in the little things that surround us, somehow the idea of Gandhi remains alive. People who belong to the dalit, adivasi communities, farmers and labourers from the unorganised sector have shown their courage, commitment and confidence to fight their battles and continue their understanding of satyagraha and Gandhi. But times are changing. Casteism and communalism are now compelling everyone to fight a new freedom movement. What kind of satyagraha is needed to deal with these concerns? One effective way is through non-party people’s movements that necessarily define and re-define their own politics. These mass organisations have to challenge themselves to deal with the reality of not only casteism and communalism, but also that of the current development paradigm. Our next step is also to minimise consumerism to save nature, people and their livelihood.