‘Mahatma Gandhi was a Saint Activist’- Prof. Salil Mishra during a talk on ‘Gandhi & Indian Nationalism’ at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru on 16 November
Mangaluru: Prof. Salil Mishra, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Ambedkar University Delhi delivered the public lecture on the topic ‘Gandhi and Indian Nationalism’ on 16 November 2018 at Sanidhya Hall, St Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangaluru. The programme began with a prayer by Dr Divya Shetty-lecturer in Political Science, followed by welcome address by the convener, Dr. Rose Veera D’Souza, professor in Political Science. Fr. Dionysius Vaz S. J., the Rector of all Aloysian institutions presided over the program. Rev. Dr. Praveen Martis S.J., the Principal of St. Aloysius College (Autonomous) delivered the message. The programme was compered and vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Joyce Sabina Lobo, lecturer in Political Science.
Addressing the packed audience, Prof. Mishra gave a very brief background of Mahatma Gandhi and his struggles for freedom in South Africa and later India. With this he proceeded with an analysis to establish how the Mahatma reconciled the Indian masses into making of the Indian nation. Prof. Mishra said that when Gandhi emerged on the political scene of India he would have noticed three different imaginations on the making of India—British denial of nationhood, asserting the presence of an Indian nation, and modernity of Indian nation. Gandhi associated himself largely with this third imagination of being modern, processual, territorial, plural, inclusive, civil and non-coercive.
He said, “Indian freedom struggle which was so far elitist was made popular by Gandhi. However, he faced two problems when he took this imagination to the masses— that these progressive ideas would not be diluted by a diverse populace and second was the emergence of new popular politics based on class. Therefore Gandhi resorted to defining nationalism as the practice of anti-imperialism and building of Indian unity”. Prof. Mishra clarified Gandhi’s manner of defining the question of class, religion and internationalism. On the nationalist platform Gandhi was sufficiently inclusive of the class question but without diluting the nationalist focus; defined religion in such a manner that it did not become antithetical to Indian nationalism nor did it create openings for a religious nationalism, or a nationalism dominated by a single religion; and on the question of internationalism, he was able to locate Indian nationalism firmly within an international frame. His nationalism was a stepping stone, and not a stumbling block, in his pursuit for a pan-human solidarity. He also combined the political question (anti-imperialism) with the social questions such as village reconstruction, anti-untouchability campaign, Hindu-Muslim unity, and spinning. This imparted a social dimension to Indian nationalism and kept it out of the fold of a single culture, or religion or language.
On the question of religion, Gandhi evolved an extremely complex position through which he tried to use religion for a mobilization of all Indian people, irrespective of their differences. He understood, defined and practiced religion in such a manner that it did not become antithetical to Indian nationalism; nor did it create openings for a religious nationalism, or a nationalism dominated by a single religion.
On the question of internationalism, Gandhi was able to locate Indian nationalism firmly within an international frame. He saw to it that his nationalist commitment did not come in the way of developing a truly global perspective. His total opposition to fascism, advocacy of Asian unity and commitment to a pan-human solidarity were all articulated in such a manner that they complemented his nationalism rather than obstructing it. His nationalism was a stepping stone, and not a stumbling block, in his pursuit for a pan-human solidarity.
Gandhi, like Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru, was fully aware of the narrow, parochial and the negative possibilities within the nationalist politics. While expressing his reservations on these negative potentials of nationalism, he constantly tried to steer Indian nationalism in a positive and pro-people direction. Indian nationalism today stands at a crossroad where both the paths – regressive and emancipatory – are potentially open before it. In such times, Gandhi’s legacy contains many important lessons for us.
Prof. Mishra concluded by saying that Gandhi was fully aware of the narrow, parochial and the negative possibilities within the nationalist politics. Therefore he constantly tried to steer Indian nationalism in a positive and pro-people direction. Prof. Mishra suggested that Gandhian ideals are relevant and Indians should reject monist imagination of nationalism and accept plural nationalism as practiced and conveyed to people by Gandhi.
In his presidential address, Rector Fr Dionysius Vas SJ quoting Albert Einstein: “Generations to come, it may well be, will scarce believe that such a man as this one ever in flesh and blood walked upon this Earth.” said ” Mahatma Gandhi’s life and ideals remain an inspiration across the world but in reality, it was the complexity of his character that made Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi such a fascinating subject. Yet, much of the fine details of his life and intellectual growth has been obscured by the greatness of his achievements. His was an evolution of a mischievous, fun-loving boy, into the Mahatma. From his schooling and early marriage in Kathiawar to his first brushes with the grandeur of London; from his chance employment for a legal case in South Africa to a train ride in Petermaritzburg that led to his first fight for equality; from a relatively unsuccessful lawyer to a globally celebrated crusader for human rights – Gandhi was that rare rebel who redefined the meaning of mass resistance for generations to come”.
Rector further said, “Salil Mishra has brought to life just how complex a character Gandhi had been, perhaps the greatest living statesman in history, a born leader and revolutionary, a man of extraordinary courage and vision, but also someone who was often at odds with his own teachings, at odds with the leaders and statesmen with whom he worked or negotiated, and at odds with many aspects of his own character, especially as a father and husband. A master of conflict resolutions, he would forge agreements with his fiercest critics, but he could be extremely dictatorial when dealing with his closest relatives or his followers”.
“As suggested by his mentor, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Gandhi traveled extensively for the first few years after his arrival in India with his ‘ears open and mouth shut.’ In 1915, as he embarked on a journey to discover India, the leaders he met, influenced or came into conflict with, and the mass of Indians who were fascinated by the man and his methods eventually elevated him to the position of Mahatma. Gandhi himself approached his discovery of India and its people with childlike enthusiasm, talking to the people he met and shared space with. While Indian leaders were discovering Gandhi, he was familiarizing himself with India as an apprentice”added Rector.
“I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will, he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions? Then you will find your doubts and your self-melt away”(Quote-Mahatma Gandhi) concluded Fr Vas SJ
Professor Valerian Rodrigues, a Mangalorean and former faculty at JNU, New Delhi moderated the session. The public lecture witnessed an enthusiastic audience whose queries were related to pan Christianity, relevance of Gandhi in modern times, false knowledge, Ambedkar, women’s entry into politics, legacy of Gandhi etc.
Few Inputs from Dr. Joyce Sabina Lobo, lecturer in Political Science, St Aloysius College
