Even though I felt I had systematically deconstructed L’s arguments, I was still unsettled about the whole issue. There was something which was bothering me. I opine that the BJP is as useless as any other party. The Congress proved its uselessness over 50yrs, the BJP did just that in 5yrs. So in that sense, it probably was less painful. I am aware that the Upper castes were not too happy with Gandhi regarding the Harijan movement. I am also aware, that the upper castes were being stupidly silly about it.
It is another thing to be challenged by a foreigner about something about my country. I am admittedly not a Gandhian. My ideology is somewhat different. However, the debate spawned an interest in the “other” side of Gandhism. What was really the politics of the day ? How did Gandhi become Gandhi ? It is quite evident that Nehru rode on Gandhi’s popularity and made use of it for his own ends. What lies beyond the mysticism, the myth and the legend of Gandhi? Considering it was in the interest of the ruling political party to ride on Gandhi’s popularity and hype, I would certainly take all history of this era with a pinch of salt.
As far as the question of who got "rid" of Gandhism is concerned, I do not think its got to do with any caste or religion.
I think its a social phenomenon. Indians have moved on. We want to buy foreign steel companies not make loin cloth on a spinning wheel. We do not remember our past 'cos our past is tied with shameless corruption, unemployment and poverty. Money is no longer evil. We are the neo-capitalists.
I do not know who was real and who was unreal. As it is being increasingly evident that our history maybe a result of a whitewash I am curious to reverse-engineer the “facts” I know. Any help is welcome.
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7 comments:
I have to say, that I agree with your stand, as it has a lot of rationale in it. It was one man's idealism not appealing to another's, be it Oswald, Chapman, Booth or Godse for that matter. And I don't think they were ever driven by a caste or a religion. Period.
Fully agree with your point, mpulztracker. WE ARE THE NEO-CAPITALISTS.(We aspire even if we aren't).
Once, in Germany, a lady told me that she thought Gandhi had chased Muslims away to Pakistan - On being told that a significant(13%) % of Indian population comprises of Muslims.It was a completely new thing I had heard( contrary to what we read, listen and come across in History written by Indians in India) and was, for a moment taken aback.
I have had many such experiences as well. However, I tend to dismiss that as ignorance. It is highly improbable that we know anything about their country. I guess it works both ways.
As much as I would like to confer with you but the reality in the Indian villages (and in cities aswell) is still the same. We the upper caste who live in cities think caste is non-existent but it is not- be it in Karnataka, Andhra or the usual punching bag state Bihar. If you think about it, even now matrimonial columns are devoted along caste lines...gives you the indication about the 'modern' India. Yes we get hurt when someone points to the harsh realities especially from the West..I have come across many -the so called 'enlightened westerners' who take an holier-than-thou attitude...the best thing is to remind them of some of their own dark histories especially start by refering to Rosa Parks, Slave Trade, The Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition and ofcourse the Apartheid and the Holocaust...that generally shuts them up...You have done well to shut him up!! But then sometimes you wonder...all this talk about 'modern' India...how modern it is? Mums delivering girl child are still frowned upon be it Punjab or Tamilnadu, Physically and mentally challenged are still laughed at, farmers becoming suicidal in Andhra, Karnataka and Maharastra because of crop failure but India is booming, 400 million still eking out a existence with less than a dollar a day (same price as a cofee at Barista)...Good Blogging! Maybe we can carry the discussion if and when we meet...Goodluck!
Rakesh, I did not/would not deny that caste divisions dont exist in today's India. Nor did I try to convince my friend that. However, the point of my defence was though caste divisions do exist, it is a tall order to state that the upper castes planned and routed gandhism out of the society.
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