From satyagraha to swaraj: political ideas of Mahatma Gandhi
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64171/JSRD.5.1.87-92Keywords:
Mahatma Gandhi, Satyagraha, Swaraj, British rule, British dominionAbstract
Mahatma Gandhi's political thought cantered on the ethical reformation of individuals and society. In contrast to numerous contemporary political theorists who perceive politics primarily as a contest for power, Gandhi regarded politics as an ethical endeavour grounded in truth, non-violence, self-discipline, and service. His concepts of Satyagraha and Swaraj became the cornerstone of India’s liberation movement and provided a novel paradigm of political opposition globally. Satyagraha was founded on the conviction that truth possesses ultimate power and that injustice may be overcome by moral persuasion rather than via violence. Gandhi asserted that the adversary should not be annihilated but rather transformed. Consequently, Satyagraha sought to engage the oppressor's consciousness. It encompassed non-cooperation, civil disobedience, fasting, strikes, boycotts, and peaceful demonstration as ways of nonviolent resistance. Satyagraha denoted the approach to resistance, but Swaraj signified the overarching objective of liberation, self-governance, and ethical self-discipline.
References
Adjei BP. Decolonising knowledge production: The pedagogic relevance of Gandhian Satyagraha to schooling and education in Ghana. Canadian Journal of Education. 2007;4:1046-1067.
Bandhopadhyay S. From Plassey to Partition: A history of modern India. New Delhi: Orient Longman Publication, 2004.
Bilgrami A. Gandhi’s integrity: The philosophy behind the politics. Postcolonial Studies. 2002;5:79-93. doi:10.1080/13688790220126906.
Borah P. Unfinished agenda of Gandhi’s Gram Swaraj: Present status of Panchayati Raj in Assam. Research on Humanities and Social Sciences. 2012;2(9):160-165.
Brown J. Gandhi’s rise to power. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1974.
Campbell M. Religious nonviolence: An analysis of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., and Thich Nhat Hanh. The Hilltop Review. 2019;11(2):6.
Dalton D. The idea of freedom in the political thought of Vivekananda, Aurobindo, Gandhi and Tagore. Delhi: Atma Ram and Sons, 1970.
Gandhi MK. Satyagraha: Non-violent resistance. Ahmedabad: Navjivan Publishing House, 1951.
Haksar V. The right to civil disobedience. Osgoode Hall Law Journal. 2003;41(2-3):407. Available from: https://canlii.ca/t/7nh94
Kumar R. Class, community or nation? Gandhi’s quest for a popular consensus in India. Modern Asian Studies. 1969;3(4):357-376.
Kurtz LR. Women’s rights, human rights, and duties: From domination to partnership. Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies, 2017, 4(1). doi:10.24926/ijps.v4i1.152.
Manisha. Weaving Swaraj: Gandhi's Satyagraha, social integration, and India’s struggle for independence. International Journal of Education and Science Research Review. 2023;10(6):200-210.
Mathapati BI. Mahatma Gandhi: The principle of Satyagraha, truth and non-violence. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts. 2023;11(9):279-282.
Panda R. Gandhi’s Hind Swaraj: A philosophical appraisal. Journal of Indian Council of Philosophical Research. 2020;37:421-432. doi:10.1007/s40961-020-00215-5.
Pyarelal. Mahatma Gandhi: The last phase. Vol. II. Ahmedabad: Navajivan Publishing House, 1958.
Radhakrishnan S. Mahatma Gandhi. In: Ahluwalia BK, editor. Facets of Gandhi. New Delhi: Lakshmi Book Store, 1968.
Rout I. Gandhi Swaraj and Satyagraha. International Journal of Political Science and Governance. 2021;3(1):37-39.
Verma VP. The political philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and Sarvodaya. Agra: Lakshmi Narain Agarwal, 1959.
