Gandhiji has been always accepted as a great leader and a freedom fighter by almost everyone. However some sections of Indians do harbor a secret (sometimes openly) disdain for him. There are many compelling and true reasons for both views however on his birthday today, the 2nd of October, I have a constructive proposition for Gandhiji’s detractors.
One may differ with him in terms of his politics, opinions and actions, however for whatever reasons, the world as we observe today, has accepted it as truth that he won freedom for India using peaceful, non-cooperation protests. He was a messiah of peace. His Birthday is celebrated every year today by the UN as “UN Non-Violence Day”.
We, as Indians, have no real benefit to derive by belittling or overturning his established Mahatma-ness. On the contrary, his name carries a huge goodwill. Goodwill is a currency. A businessman knows its value.
No person, policy or principle is either completely good or completely bad. Everything is a cocktail of both. To be fair, one should also look at the era and constraints of the time while judging someone. I think he had a great personal character and ability to create grass-root movements. I also think he should not have imposed his veto on how the country should be run. He should have left governance to the government.
I suggest, revise your stand. Do like Gandhiji by conviction. If not by conviction, maybe one can still like him as a useful strategy employing his global goodwill. Use his goodwill for the nation's advantage. Running him down does not earn any gain.
Gandhi detractors, do consider this proposition.
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