India is truly an amazing country. Mahatma Gandhi has been appreciated for his values of truth and non-violence all over the world. He has inspired peaceful movements in several countries. In India, he is called 'The father of the nation'.
Yet according to news reports, the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha, will be erecting a temple to Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Mahatma Gandhi on 30 January 1948. They have acquired land for this purpose in Para village, in Sidhauli, in Sitapur District of Uttar Pradesh. The urn containing Godse's ashes will be placed here and worshipped!
What is the aim of this temple? What values are being promoted here? That Godse is greater than Gandhi? That assassinations and assassins are to be honoured? And does the government have no say in this? Can anyone erect a temple anywhere to any person?
Where are we headed?
Showing posts with label Gandhi Mahatma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gandhi Mahatma. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
Who is a Socialist? Mahatma Gandhi's concept of Socialism [1947]
In an editorial entitled, "Who Is a Socialist?" Mahatma Gandhi wrote:
"Socialism is a beautiful word and, so far as I am aware, in socialism, all the members of society are equal—none low, none high. In the individual body, the head is not high because it is the top of the body, nor are the soles of the feet low because they touch the earth. Even as members of the individual body are equal, so are the members of society. This is socialism.
"In it, the prince and the peasant, the wealthy and the poor, the employer and the employee are all on the same level. In terms of religion, there is no duality in socialism. It is all unity. Looking at society, all the world over, there is nothing but duality or plurality. Unity is conspicuous by its absence. This man is high, and that one is low, that is a Hindu, that a Muslim, third a Christian, fourth a Parsi, fifth a Sikh, sixth a Jew. Even among these there are subdivisions. In the unity of my conception, there is perfect unity in the plurality of designs.
"But, in order to reach this state, we may not look on the things philosophically and say that we need not make a move until all are converted to socialism. Without changing our life, we may go on giving addresses and forming parties and, hawk-like, seize the game when it comes our way. This is no socialism.'
"Socialism is a beautiful word and, so far as I am aware, in socialism, all the members of society are equal—none low, none high. In the individual body, the head is not high because it is the top of the body, nor are the soles of the feet low because they touch the earth. Even as members of the individual body are equal, so are the members of society. This is socialism.
"In it, the prince and the peasant, the wealthy and the poor, the employer and the employee are all on the same level. In terms of religion, there is no duality in socialism. It is all unity. Looking at society, all the world over, there is nothing but duality or plurality. Unity is conspicuous by its absence. This man is high, and that one is low, that is a Hindu, that a Muslim, third a Christian, fourth a Parsi, fifth a Sikh, sixth a Jew. Even among these there are subdivisions. In the unity of my conception, there is perfect unity in the plurality of designs.
"But, in order to reach this state, we may not look on the things philosophically and say that we need not make a move until all are converted to socialism. Without changing our life, we may go on giving addresses and forming parties and, hawk-like, seize the game when it comes our way. This is no socialism.'
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