Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Dec 21: “Mahatma Gandhi’s book Hind Swaraj written in 1909 does not mention the word Satyagraha but it gives the principle of Satyagraha. It does not mention about Sarvodaya but it speaks about everyone,” said Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson Prof Rajmohan Gandhi.

Delivering a special lecture on 'Swaraj and Sarvodaya: A Re-look' at University College Hampankatta on December 21, Rajmohan Gandhi also a visiting professor at Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar and Michigan State University, USA, said Sarvodaya is a contrast idea of majority welfare.

“Do not leave any is the concept behind Sarvodaya. Swaraj was called political independence but Gandhiji not only meant independence for India, but Indians who should rule India. If Indians can rule India, a political Swaraj is attained which is definitely a huge change,” said Prof Rajmohan Gandhi..

Prof Gandhi further added that his grandfather had started an ashram in Ahmedabad and as he believed in Sarvodaya, he allowed untouchables, Hindus, Muslims and people from every section of the society to live.

“There was uproar from people close to Gandhi, such as Madan Lal and Kasturba. They opposed him for allowing untouchables to the ashram. Madan Lal and his family left the house as Gandhi disagreed to take out untouchables from the ashram. However, it was Gandhi's words on untouchability that touched Madan Lal’s heart and washed his prejudices. They returned to the ashram,” he said.

Speaking on Rowlatt Act introduced to curb free speech, Prof Rajmohan Gandhi said, “In 1919 the law was passed by British government. Gandhiji asked his fellows to oppose the law with non-violence which led to a great movement across India. Three days before the Jallainwala Bagh massacre a demonstration was taken out, against the British rule and there was violence on the same day where five Englishmen were killed. During the assembly meet, Gandhi had said we protest for the lives of Indians at the same time we are sorry for the Englishmen who got killed. This is Sarvodaya, no one is left out.”

"Gandhiji’s Swaraj and Sarvodaya had a huge impact on American civil right movement. When a journalist had asked about Gandhi on Hindus and Muslims attacking each other, he had replied - I thought Indians 'Fear Not and Hate Not'. Nehru in his book had mentioned that Gandhi's achievement was he removed the fear from the heart of the Indians. Gandhiji had said to a journalist that people loved to learn ‘fear not’ from me but not eager to learn ‘hate not’ from me. They kept that anger, hatred, prejudice which they showed it against the British,” revealed Rajmohan Gandhi.

“In 1947, the anger against the British was transformed as hatred towards fellow Indians. ‘Hate not’ was not as popular as ‘fear not’,” he added.

"Gandhiji was killed in 1948, constitution came to effect in 1950 and architect behind it was Dr BR Ambedkar. Dr Ambedkar had many differences with Gandhiji throughout his life, which was seen in his books, articles. When it comes to drafting of constitution, Gandhiji had once said to Vallabhai Patel and Nehru that BR Ambedkar should be in the cabinet as there is no Sarvodaya without Ambedkar. In constitution, it is mentioned that those who live in India are the citizens of this country. India is for everyone there is no religion, caste and gender difference,” said Prof Gandhi

"Gandhiji showed us the way to fight for Swaraj and Sarvodaya but the battle does not end here. Many criticize Gandhiji for partition and corruption which is seen today. We want Gandhiji to solve problems not only of his time but also in our time. If we feel Gandhiji who died 70 years ago should solve the problems of his time and our time, it means we do not understand Swaraj to Sarvodaya but also don’t understand the meaning of manhood or womanhood,” concluded Gandhi.

Principal of University College Dr Uday Kumar M A welcome the gathering.