Asian Studies

Mohandas Karmchand Gandhi was a great freedom fighter of India. He gains independence to India through his non-violence principles from the British Empire during the period of 20th century. His non-violence principles are more effective. By his non-violence methods he was treated as Mahatma. He went to South Africa to attain legal posting. But there he faced many abusive concern problems as an Indian. Then he thinks about the Indian people who lived in South Africa.

Gandhi movements in South Africa
In South Africa many Indians are living. They are fighting to their rights as voters of Africa. But they were prohibited from voting. Then the first Indian political party was established by Gandhi with the name of Natal Indian Congress. The Indians want recognition to their cultural heritage among the civilized people which are not Blacks and also to separate from blacks. At last Gandhi achieved the third entrance to Durban Post Office separately for whites in Africa. Of course, the Indians already had a share with the blacks. Finally all were feel satisfied with a triple segregation.

In 1903, Gandhi starts a weekly publishing Indian Opinion.  In 1904, a venture to communal farming of Indians at Durban commenced by Gandhi. He supports against the Zulu revolt in 1906. Afterward Gandhi led a peaceful revolution with thousand Indian people to against the laws of Asian government. He also says that he would go to jail or even die before obeying an anti-Asian law. in this civil insubordination movement they were announced strikes on sugar plantations and coal fields. The movement runs with a march from Natal to Transvaal. Gandhi went to prison many times. Finally the government of Union of South Africa accepted and permitted to some demands of Gandhi like the prohibition of some taxes on Indians and identification of Indian marriages.

Legacy of Gandhi
Gandhi came back to India to fight against the British in 1915. He struggled for independent India over 30 years of his life. He followed the non-violence principles in this movement and he decided to get freedom without any battles. Through this passivity he referred as Mahatma which means Great Soul since he called as Mahatma Gandhi.

Non-violence Movement
In 1921, Gandhi expressed a non-cooperate movement opposing to British. This movement goes through boycotting of every one willingly including lawyers, students and other all members. The students gone away from schools and colleges, lawyers reject abandon their works and so many Indian people were rejected their designations and reputations. The women also first time participate through this movement in freedom fight. But suddenly there was throng violence took place in Chauri Chaura in 1922. Hence the movement was stopped and Gandhi was arrested for this violence with six years of captivity. But for his health condition he was released in 1924. Later five years Gandhi did not take any activities against British. In this period of five years he made his efforts to make Muslim and Hindu unique, augmentation of hand-spinning populace and to equal rights for women.

Satyagraha Movement
Gandhi denoted a word of Satyagraha which means holding firmly to truth. At first the Satyagraha movement started for the poor farmers of India in Champaran. There, the British indigo planters strained the farmers to give up the farms to them. A committee was formed for favoring the farmers and obtained success. It was first success of Satyagraha movement in India and Gandhis popularity increasing. At this movement Gandhi tells that dont conquer your opponent than that of try to convert them in to your way. This thinking was made you together to move with your communal aim. Gandhi also led the Salt March through the way of Satyagraha in 1930 to against the cartel of British on salt industry. It was the best and famous example of Satyagraha. The British ruled the Indians that the salt is bought only from their officials and they also want to pay tax on salt. There are many afflicts were accrued by these situation. Then Gandhi starts a movement by walk to reach the sea. He gave many interviews and speeches to press along the way. He says With this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire, On 6th April he reached the ocean and prepared salt by own illegally. For this he was arrested. After that thousands of Indians were prepared salt by their own. Even around 600,000 people arrested, the British Empire came down. However the movement was broken at Dandi. This was led to begin the Civil Disobedience Movement. Later Gandhi was sent to jail for his many programmes and activities and he depleted many years in jail.

The movement of Satyagraha implemented in many days and weeks by the hundreds and thousands of people. The response was beyond the expectations of Gandhi.

Any way through his campaign in 1947 India won independence from British cruel verdict.
Gandhi tells The doctrine of Satyagraha works on the principle that you make the so called enemy see and realize the injustice he is engaged in. As a satyagrahi, I do believe that non-violence is a potent weapon against all evils. I warn you however, that the victory will not come easy- just like it will not come easy with violent methods such as fighting with weaponry
Steps in movement of Satyagraha
The below steps were taken by Gandhi in the movement of Satyagraha.
Non-Cooperation
Usurping of the functions of government
Agitation
Arbitration and Negotiation
Civil disobedience
Issuing of an ultimatum
Preparation of the group for direct action
Economic boycott and forms of strike
Parallel government.

So without   any violence   and wars only through the highest moral values of      non-violence, Satyagraha, non-cooperative movements Gandhi earned independence from British Colonial rule. Gandhi says that I have nothing new to teach the world. Truth and Non-violence are as old as the hills. A universal weapon of Satyagraha gave by Gandhi to normal people to face the injustice from any one. It was not required any army and militants.  Gandhi made an organization with common Indians including women and men of all religions who belong to 18 dissimilar languages national wide. Only one man with a great attitude and weapon of non-violence led the nation in same way for independence and democracy. His nature of language, clothing and culture rousing the common people as think he was one of them. And also made the people unique who belonging to different religions and castes. He was considered by the Indians Father of the Nation or Bapu as one the greatest Hindu.

Gandhiji tells if there is no equality for all there is no place for peace and truth You cannot have a good social system when you find yourself low in the scale of political rights, nor can you be fit to exercise political rights and privileges unless your social system is based on reason and justice. You cannot have a good economic system when your social arrangements are imperfect. If your religious ideas are low and groveling, you cannot succeed in ensuring equal status for women, and the access to opportunities for all was the ultimate that would bring independence to the people of India.

Satyagraha principle later inspirited many one like Dalai Lama, Aung San Suu Kyi, Steve Biko and Nelson Mandela with translations of the term as pursuit of truth or way of truth.   The efforts of Gandhi such as non-violence and Satyagraha now influenced more national and international movements of non-violence fights for example Martin Luther Kings movement of American Civil Rights. Luther King says Christ gave us the goals and Mahatma Gandhi the tactics.

A teacher and peace expert Sissela Bok says Gandhis attitude of experimenting, of testing what will and will not bear close scrutiny, what can and cannot be adapted to new circumstances in way of changing our lives and society. Finally, Mahatma Gandhi stands as a name of truth and peace over the world.
Implementation of Gandhis non-violence in present days

A non-Violence principle of Gandhi has spread across the globe by influencing many dignitaries and governments United Nation General Assembly announced October 2nd as International Non-Violence Day to mark Gandhijis birthday. This occasion is to spreading the message of non-violence by education and awareness of public. Many teachings of Gandhi including non-violence are relevant to present international situations with its intention to establish peace and religious tolerance and acceptance.

In present days in India the place where Gandhi born doesnt seems to have any relevance on Gandhi principles. Gandhi who won independence to India with humble clothing and non-violence is called as Bapu which means Father of nation is only remembered on his birth day 2nd October in India. 60 years after his assassination Gandhi is remembered only on his birth day or in any other national rituals. Gandhis principles in India seem to be confined to academic text book. India which is military super power in Asia for sure not following the principles of Gandhi in its foreign relations with neighboring China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. India is even not following non violence principles to deal with countrys issue like Kashmir, Assam, Punjab, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. Even after from independence India experienced much communal unrest in country. In recent days India has worlds top richest men in the country at the same time above 30 of its people live in below poverty line Gandhism in India is seems to be struggling for its existence.

By these things it doesnt mean that Gandhism in the world in dead. As Buddhism which is mostly practiced out side of the country where it born, in the same Gandhism in alive out side of the country. There is no such country in world where at least some activists are not following non violence principles in the name of Gandhism. Gandhi led a revolution in protests with his non violence principles which influenced the whole world. Gandhi a brown man with truth and non violence in humble clothing is known as spokes person for international humanity. It astonishes that how a person prevails over consumerist, agnostic and materialistic cultures of globe. Dalai Lama Tibetan religious leader inspired a lot by Gandhis principles. Dalai Lama said that In ancient India many philosophers spoke about ahimsa (non violence) where it was mere considered as philosophical teaching. But Gandhi in the time of British India articulated it in a great way and implemented in British Empire regime which lead to freedom of his country.

Three secrets of Gandhi are Faith, Action and Populism these three are core aspects of his believes. Gathering ordinary people and is efforts of union was his another secret. In comparing with present day leaders of the world he was a leader in the real sense. Japanese religious leader Disaku Ikeda who inspired by principles of Gandhi says that Gandhi actions are not only an actions of reform but practice of spirituality with inner feelings.

Gandhis principles are still alive and inspired many social, political and religious profiles of the world includes Mubarak Awad, Palestinian non violent leader, Joan Baez and Joanna Macy human rights activists of Czech and California respectively. Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese leader who was kept under house arrest was inspired by Gandhi and she say that Reason of corruption is fear not the power. Barack Hussein Obama, US President, describe Gandhi as peace apostle and he says that I always look Gandhi for inspiration in me the changes he brought in society quotes that a common man together can perform in an extraordinary way.

Gandhi a kind and moral person have high saying for society and modern world to fight with non violence for good. Gandhi says good travel as slow as snail and non violence is a tree with slow growth but sure spreads its branches in wide area. Gandhiji quotes that good should be accompanied with courage, knowledge and convictions and Gandhiji counts seven social sins as follows, Principle less politics, Work less wealth, Character less education, Morality less commerce, Humanity less science, Conscience less pleasure and Scarifies less worship.

Now if we think that 21st century is common man century it means we see Gandhijis principles and their relevance to modern time and Gandhi will continue to inspire every one who fights for good.

People were influenced by Gandhis principles of Satyagraha and non-violence methods over forty years.

Personnel life of Gandhi
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi born on 2 October 1869 in small town called Porbandar in India for a middle class family his parents were Karamchand Gandhi and Putlibai. His father worked as Porbandar Prime Minister (Dewan) and his mother is house wife and she had deep faith in religion which influenced Gandhi, he uses to shy and timid with soft spoken nature.

Gandhi was a noble and truthful person even from his childhood. There is one such incident from his school days. Gandhi studied in one British school at once a British inspector came to his school and conducted a spelling test Gandhi answered all spelling except kettle. Here teacher observed mistake in Gandhi and gave a hint to copy the spelling from the next boy but Gandhi refused this and later he was scolded for his stupidity behavior.

Gandhis parents arranged his marriage at the age of 13 with Kasturibai. He was studying in high school when he got married Gandhi opposed Child marriage system and considered it as a cruel. After his schooling Gandhiji went Bhavnagar to join Samalda College. His father died on 1885 and he was suggested to take his place in civil service for that he thought of doing barrister from England to join the service but his mother doesnt agreed with his plan to study in a foreign country she thought he cant be pure in foreign land and it would to be difficult for him to practice his religion in foreign land. Gandhi made promise to his mother that he wont touch wine, meat and women in England.

Gandhi traveled to England on 4 September 1888 to pursue his barrister in University College of London at first Gandhi was little uncomfortable to adjust with western culture, later he overcame it and Gandhi was very much influenced with western culture during his stay in London after completion on of his study he came back to India and thought to start practice in Bombay because less contact with locals he returned back Rajkot and there his brother helped got him to get a job with his friend in South Africa as legal consultant.
Gandhi went to South Africa for his new job in Dada Abdulla  Co and after he shifted his family to South Africa there he advised his wife and children to follow western mode of life style including dressing and dining manners etc. But later Gandhi recognized that there is no comfort in acting like a westerners. There Gandhi transformed into Mahatma after seeing the racial abuse and discrimination for Indians in South Africa. Gandhi fought with non violence principle against that racial abuse and some local law which are meant to disguise Indians. He once threw out of train as he was traveling in first class compartment in South Africa Indians should have to travel only third class if not they may attract attention of white officials.

For the first time in his life he witnessed discrimination on Indian minorities in South Africa. In the eye of whites Indians are colored which means they are not equal to them and they are slaves of white. They use to call Indians as kullys, samies and kaffir to irritate them Indians are even not allowed to walk on pavements beside whites. Indians were not treated well in trade places too Gandhi was not allowed to wear his turban in court and need leave after 9.00 PM all these because of his nationality, color and religion. Indians are not even allowed to have equal rights with whites and even not allowed for voting.

In this time a new law was issued against Indians in South Africa on 1907 according to which all Indians should have to be finger printed in police stations like criminals and they should have to be registered with local bodies for receiving a number and form which they to carry every time, police can enter their houses at any time to demand their form and Indian Muslims and Hindus marriages were considered as legal except Christian marriages and on this issue Gandhi hold a meeting among in India in which he gained huge applause and support, in that meet Gandhi said that I wont give my finger prints to police even if they jail me or torture me and  kill me, if they kill me they will have my body not my obedience. he added.

For this Law Gandhi and many of his followers in South Africa have not registered and they were imprisoned for 2 months. Gandhi met General Smuts to make a request against proposed bill and in return many Indian including Gandhi voluntarily registered them. In this stage some Indians turned violently against government and in spite of many Indians effort Bill was passed which lead to Satyagraha in South Africa with many Indians support in which Indians burnt 2,000 registered forms to demonstrate against Bill. Once again Gandhi and his Indian supporters jailed and this influenced print media which led authorities to invalidate the Bill and Gandhi and his supporters were set free and Gandhi decide to return to India.

Even though so many leaders fight for independence that is generally in violent means, Gandhi chooses the non-violent and Satyagraha methods to got freedom.  In his personal life also he believes and follows the ethics of non-violence. The ways of Gandhi for freedom inspired many one still. Many great leaders Luther king, Dalai Lama also followed him. He created a great legacy with high values and principles around the world. Through his principles he made the world to believe in the power of non-violence, which is not recognized until his movement for independence in non-violent mode.