Gandhi

The years that changed the world

Ramachandra Guha

          I had already read the first volume of two volume biography of Gandhi by Ramachandra Guha.  The first volume was called ‘Gandhi Before India’(He had also written history of India since Independence with the title ‘India after Gandhi). First volume covered the period from his birth in 1869 to 1920.  The second volume is from 1920 to his death in 1948.

          Gandhi continues to be relevant today. Great are the people whose thought and action continues to inspire future generations. Gandhi is one of them.

          I came to know of Gandhi in my middle school days, not unlike other students.  But there was something different.  I had the fortune of hearing Gandhi anecdotes firsthand from Shri T.S. Avinashilingam Chettiar. We fondly called him ‘Ayya’.  He had had Gandhi to inaugurate the our school in 1930 in Coimbatore (Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya.  He chosoe to speak to us after the morning prayer at around 6.15 on the days he had the inclination.  There were other occasions that we used to hear him, in meetings, on many occasions along with class students, in small groups and on some occasions I had also interacted with him one to one.  For example, once in the ground in front of Buddha Statue in the School cum Hostel area, I sat in the sand as he was listening to news bulletin in English.  The volume was kept as low as he could hear and I also could hear. On the eve of saraswai puja, I had acted in a play which criticized the rulers indirectly.  The anecdotes he told us were wonderful for the children.  

          Coming back to my familiarity with Gandhi, in school days, few minutes free time available before the arrival of next teacher or during leisure or library periods (yes, there were there in the time-table of the school) one student, standing in front of the class had to read the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi (Sathiya Sodanai, in Tamil) and others had to listen.  This religiously continued from 6th standard upto 9^th Standard.    I had in my boyhood emotionally connected with Gandhi and his struggles in South Africa, even though I was not aware of the historical importance of the events being narrated.  But his honesty rubbed on my subconscious.  His his truthfulness affected me very deeply and even today his name makes me wonder and brings tears. 

          As for the author, I have also read most of the books written by R. Guha.  So far as I can remember, were many references to Gandhi in the books he authored.  He as a Historian, I think, cannot but mention Gandhi since Gandhi’s thoughts though not directly relevant, can be applied to any process of political or social thinking and action. 

          I read this second volume with eagerness.  Most of the major events in his life after 1920 are familiar. But, every new biography may throw a new light.  As years pass by, new perspectives may become necessary and authors may venture into uncharted areas boldly without immediate adverse reactions from the society.  It is a work on a grand scale and scope and the author has done justice to the subject.  He treats Gandhi as a human being.  Information on each incident is complied from various sources particularly those from his critics and adversaries.  Archival materials unused heretofore has been brought out and throws a better light on the thinking of the Raj and it brings out real Gandhi.

          One of the controversial events during independence, the contest for the post of President of the congress between Subhash Chandra Bose and Pattabhi Sitaramaiah is covered very well.  SC Bose’s candidature was backed by whole of Bengali politicians and even Tagore had written to Gandhi in support of SC Bose. I was surprised that Tagore could do this.   It comes out that Gandhi kept away from the contest.  It was Sardar Patel and his supporters who fought for Pattabhi.  A personal dispute had also added fuel to the fire.  Vitalbhai Patel, Vallabhai Patel’s brother had bequeathed a portion of his properties to subhash Chandra bose.  This was not liked by Sardar Patel. This could be the reason for their personal dispute.  But there were other political and social reasons for the contest.  This dispute was ultimately settled in court in favour of Patel family. 

          The roll of Gandhi’s friends and well wishers and followers has been very effectively told.  Without them Gandhi would not have been what he was.  Another controversial issue is the relationship between Gandhi and Sarala Devi.  It was a delicate subject and the author has neither exaggerated nor diminished the facts.  Most of this ‘story’ is told by the letters written by Gandhi or Sarala Devi or Rajaji and others.  The trips to Punjab that Gandhi made, the period of his stay in places are all supported by historical records.  Guha has also brought out that it was a spiritual love, unconsummated at best.  Rajaji had played a crucial role, in saving the reputation of Gandhi and the history of the struggle for independence which might have gone a different way (though second marriage was not unusual in those days, it would have distracted the struggle for independence to some extent at least). Further, even in love, Gandhi has not abandoned his vow of celibacy and the marriage, if it had materialized would have been spiritual and for the service of the country.  Gandhi is not an ordinary mortal.   

          The most important aspect of Gandhi’s struggle was his connectedness.   He was guided by Gokhale that he should first tour the country and know the people and he did that in the early period of his political life.  But his tours all over what is now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were extensive.  (All the great men of India, from Adi Shankara to Swami Vivekananda had toured India extensively). He involved common people in the movement for freedom.  HE involved women in it.  Though at the beginning he was conservative in his views, during the course of his interaction with all kinds of people he had understood their problems and sympathized with their causes and slowly his views changed.  His continuous conversations with the downtrodden also enabled him to change the social outlook of many millions of Indians.

          This books also brings out the complementary nature of the views and struggles and views of those who had differed on many issues.  Ambedkar’s differences with Gandhi were famous.  Though Ambedkar attacked Gandhi mercilessly, Gandhi had always said that ‘if he had gone through the same experiences as Ambedkar, he would have also done what Ambedkar had done’ or to this effect.  Gandhi knew the society.  He initially considered caste as a necessary but then changed his views.  Though Gandhi knew social evil his focus was freedom.  He could continue his fight for other issues.  His contributions for temple entry in 1930s and banning of untouchability later, was unique.

             He was carrying forward the legacy of Gokhale, in steadfastly fighting for emotionally, socially and politically integrating Muslims and Hindus in the concept of a Nation.  Since only Nehru had understood this, Gandhi chose him as the next leader to shoulder the responsibility.  HE also knew that their versions of modernity differed. 

          The personal pains and experiences Gandhi had to undergo because of his chosen path of Ahimsa and the path of public service is unparalled.  HE had sacrificed so much and still he considered it not as a sacrifice but ony as duty. 

R. Guha has pointed out there there are people who project Gandhi and Ambedkar, Gandhi and Sardar, Nehru and Sardar etc as opposites of each other.  In the struggle for independence their roles were, in the final view complementary. 

The books is bulky and it is not easy to understand fully one of the greatest man of humanity.  We have to try hard.  There is no other way if we want to create a better future. This book could be an excellent beginning.