Gandhi, Non-cooperation and Bhagavat Geetha

Indian independence movement is one of the earliest peaceful movements against the British rule. It opened doors for Non-violent protests against oppressors across the world. Gandhiji is credited for this idea.

Indian freedom struggle is mainly classified into three phases:

1. Moderate phase - prayer, petition, protest.
2. Extremist phase - violent revolt.
3. Gandhian phase - Peaceful non-co-operation.

What made Gandhian phase unique?

The moderate leaders of freedom struggle, though mostly viewed as unsuccessful, were responsible for forming the counter arguments to " white man's burden" theory  of  the British.

They prepared ground, propounded theories for intellectual understanding of the British exploitation of India.The extremists, mostly young leaders, believed in complete freedom, resorted to violent means to overthrow the British. However, there was no significant harm done to the British.

It is at this juncture that Gandhian philosophy came handy. 

Gandhian philosophy:

Gandhi, with his experience in Africa, banked on the two weapons: Truth and non-violence to get India rid of British rule. Gandhian philosophy brought fundamental changes in the nature of Indian freedom struggle.

• It made freedom struggle a mass movement. The charisma of Gandhi coupled with dedicated follower base, spread the word of freedom to every nook and corner of the country.
• The non-violent nature of the struggle resulted in the participation of women and children in a large scale. 
• The British had no reason to attack the non-violent masses, whenever they did, they lost their face internationally (Salt Satyagraha).

So here it is! Gandhi left the British wondering what to do. If they acted, they were criticized for attacking non-violent masses. If they abstained from acting, it was hailed as a success of national movement.

Non cooperation - Bhagavat Geetha:

Besides the action plan, Gandhi had a fundamental philosophy guiding him throughout the freedom struggle, the Non Cooperation. The resurgence of Indian industry, development of Khadi as a national symbol etc., are offshoots of this policy. It is through Non cooperation  that British might is defeated.

So how could Gandhi get this idea?

In his interpretation of Bhagavat Geetha, Gandhi says, " Whether out of compassion for Duryodana, or because he was generous-hearted, karna joined the former's side. Besides Karna, Duryodhana had good men like bhishma and Drona also on his side. This suggests that evil by itself cannot flourish in this world. It can do so only if it is aligned with some good. This was the principle underlying 

non-co-operation: that the evil system which had endured only because of the support it received from good people, could not survive if that support were withdrawn".

A simple idea from an epic changed our fate!

                        In a gentle way,

                 you can shake the world.

                      - Mahatma Gandhi

Source: 

Mahatma Gandhi 

The BhagavadGeetha , JAICOpublications