Political philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi and its impact on Bangladesh

 

Every year on October 2, the citizens of entire Sub-Continent observe birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. For the cognizance of many of my online readers, his real name was Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. Gandhiji was not only an Indian icon, but he was known all around the globe. Especially he is still very well reputed in Bangladesh. It was during the pulsating year of Noakhali riot of the year 1946 from the month of October to November of the same year. It was after couple of months pertaining to this tragedy, undivided India achieved Independence in the year 1947 on August 15. During the year 1946 Noakhali riot legendary Mahatma Gandhi played towering to alleviate the sufferings of innumerable human beings who suffered badly during the riot. His mind was pious and of soft temperament. His mission was to mix with the masses that was why he was referred to as 'Mahatma'. He was crowned with the title 'Mahatma' by Nobel Laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore. The term, 'Mahatma' is referred to in common man's parlance as pious soul of the masses. During various historical movements during the days of freedom struggle, Gandhiji was regarded as God to all poor and downtrodden people. Now coming to key feature Gandhiji's political philosophy is a much debatable issue. But anyhow I shall try my level best to throw deep light about this thoughts of Gandhiji in my subsequent paragraph. Apart from his political philosophy, Gandhi's thought about the above had profound impact on Bangladesh. I have come to know from various records, that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of the nation of Bangladesh, had deep reverence upon Gandhiji's political philosophy. Though there was a marked contrast between political philosophy of Gandhiji and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, still both were cordial towards each other.Anyhow I shall introspect about Mahatma Gandhiji's political in-depth in my subsequent paragraph.

To focus upon Mahatma Gandhi's political philosophy is not an easy task. There were many scholars who performed indelible research work on Gandhiji. As already repeated Gandhi was such an icon in undivided India and now South Asian Sub-Continent he cannot be evaluated so easily. He became very close to the hearts and mind of masses, especially to the poor and downtrodden sections of undivided India. Gandhiji emphasised upon peaceful political and social order which cannot be denied at all. Even his concept and thoughts have deep impact upon common citizens of India and Bangladesh. Mahatma Gandhi felt that economic, social and political emancipation of all sections of society should be achievable by peaceful coexistence. According to him, peace consists of four principles of our life philosophies. These are politics, economics, ethics, forms of pleasure and spiritual awareness which sometimes goes beyond the realms of human knowledge. Gandhiji always preached to the citizens of undivided India, the gospel of Non-Violence which is still cherished by civilised societies of India and Bangladesh. The way our societies are leading to, it is our earnest praying that all of us should live in peace, which should be devoid of violence and calumny. In the same manner if we prefer to throw light about political philosophy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he opined the same thoughts like that of Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhi always preached for communal harmony in the same manner Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman preached for the cognizance of present 17 crore citizens. Father of both nations possess identical temperament as per political philosophy of both are concerned. In the next paragraph I aim to throw light upon political philosophy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Political philosophy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman always expressed profound affection towards citizens of independent Bangladesh. He always thought that the citizens of Independent nation of Bangladesh should progress well in life in tandem with other nations of the globe. Bangabandhu always felt that the newly independent Bangladesh should be full of Bengali nationalistic fervour. Another most interesting part to be noted is that, Bangabandhu also emphasised communal harmony for the development and prosperity of his nation of pride Bangladesh. His mission was that common citizens should be freed from all sorts of exploitation and extortion. Despite honest and sincere efforts to stem the independent nation to a state of progress and prosperity.

Mahatma Gandhi having predeceased us exactly 74 years ago, but till date his philosophies are deeply relevant within the masses. Indian citizens still deeply reminisce Mahatma Gandhi from close to our heart. His concept of non-violence is deeply relevant not only in India, but also in Bangladesh. As terrorism ate up our social and cultural fabric couple of years back, that it should be our humble responsibilities to take serious note of Gandhijis non-violence theory. Gandhiji never felt any discriminatory mentality between people of diverse religions, languages and also different strata of societies. This is now deeply relevant not only in India, but also in Bangladesh too. It is both Indian and Bangladeshi citizens still reminisce Gandhiji and Bangabandhu's political philosophy with a deep heart. During the days of freedom struggle, Gandhiji's call for Satyagraha should regarded as cakewalk for both nation's progress and prosperity along with emphasise upon self-dependence among citizens. The history and political science departments of Dhaka University have undertaken in-depth research work on relevance of Mahatma Gandhi which is no doubt remarkable. Gandhijis also emphasised upon women emancipation which is bearing fruit in both India and Bangladesh. Also both Gandhiji and Bangabandhu emphasised upon speaking truth among political fraternities of both nations.

Conclusion:

Summing up the above discourses, one point always surmise our mind political philosophies of both Gandhi and Bangabandhu should be made relevant in modern societies. Now the time has rightly arrived political philosophy should be upheld by the political fraternities in India and Bangladesh. Gandhi's clarion for non-violence should be the byword for ushering in communal harmony in India and Bangladesh. This we should not forget at all from the core of our heart and mind. Lastly we have to admit the political philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi in our heart and its influence among citizens of Bangladesh.


Sujayendra Das is
Senior writer, Kolkata