The celebrations marking the start of the 150th birth anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi were predictably ritualistic. Each political party invoked the father of Indian nationalism for its own cause, seeking to co-opt Gandhi for success at the ballot box. Yet sadly, today the Mahatma’s cardinal, indeed fundamental, teaching, namely that of non-violence, is regularly overthrown. There is an outward celebration of Gandhian non-violence, but an unprecedented violence in political language. Words are weaponised. Speeches are violent. Name calling, threats, attacking slogans and foully abusive rhetoric is the grammar of politicians. The violence of today’s political vocabulary shows how 150 years after Gandhi, the Mahatma’s legacy is being destroyed by those who claim his mantle.
Uday Deb
Addressing party workers in Delhi, BJP Read More
