PM Modi reveals the uniqueness of the Gandhian struggle

Writing a piece titled 'Why India and the World Need Gandhi' in the New York Times on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi explained what set apart the Gandhian struggle from other mass movements in the world. He also shared his understanding of the Mahatma’s philosophy of non-violence and how it led to peaceful revolutions across the globe. Furthermore, the PM elaborated on Gandhi’s view on nationalism. 

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What distinguishes the Gandhian struggle 

PM Modi listed two points to showcase the uniqueness of Gandhi’s struggle. First, he focused on the Mahatma’s ability to create a mass agitation in the form of ‘Dandi March’ based on an issue like the tax imposed on salt. The other and the most important distinguishing factor was the participation of people in huge numbers. According to him, this was despite the fact that Gandhi never held any public office.  

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He wrote, “Who else could have created a mass agitation through a pinch of salt! During colonial rule, Salt Laws, which placed a new tax on Indian salt, had become a burden. Through the Dandi March in 1930, Gandhi challenged the Salt Laws. His picking up a small lump of natural salt from the Arabian Sea shore led to the historic civil disobedience movement. There have been many mass movements in the world, many strands of the freedom struggle even in India, but what sets apart the Gandhian struggle and those inspired by him is the wide-scale public participation. He never held administrative or elected office. He was never tempted by power.” 

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PM Modi pays homage

Earlier, in the day, the PM paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in New Delhi. He highlighted Gandhi's commitments and his vision for the empowerment of the poor. 

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