Mahatma Gandhi, anti-colonial nationalist, “I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible”
The leader of the Indian independence movement left behind not only a legacy of using nonviolence but a wealth wisdom that still inspires today.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as Mahatma Gandhi, was one of the most influential people of the twentieth century. Through a campaign of nonviolence, the anti-colonial nationalist led his country to independence.
Not only did his method of protesting British colonial rule go on to influence other movements like the American civil rights but he also left behind a wealth of wisdom that is still inspiring people today. One of the ideas that he expressed was embracing inclusivity saying, “no culture can live if it attempts to be exclusive.”
Gandhi vision of an inclusive society
The “Father of Indian” cherished the cultural heritage of his nation which is ever evolving but particular to India. Over the centuries different cultures had moved into the subcontinent adding to the diversity but also mixing and adopting Indianness.
He said of the Indian culture that it is “a mingling of the cultures represented by the different faiths and influenced by the geographic and other environments in which the cultures have met.” Gandhi welcomed this and wanted the door to stay open to all.
“I do not want my house to be walled in on all sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible,” he said. However, he added, “But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any. I refuse to live in other people’s houses as an interloper, a beggar or a slave.”
While he “freely acknowledged” his “debt to Western culture,” he noted that it was thanks to his retention of his Eastern culture that he was able to be successful in his labors to bring about India’s independence. Furthermore, Gandhi pointed out that “European civilization is no doubt suited for the Europeans, but it will mean ruin for India if we endeavour to copy it.”
He also warned against looking back to some date when there was just one exclusive religion or culture. “It is just possible that we might not be able to find any such historical date and if we do and we retrace our steps, we shall throw our culture back to that ugly period and deservedly earn the execration of the universe.”
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