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Home , Bhagat Singh, Conflict resolution, Gandhigiri, Sukhdev Thapar

g a n d h i i n t h e 21 s t c e n t u r y

GANDHI – THE IDEA… …WHOSE TIME HAS COME...OR GONE?

istorians of the did not take up’ says his nephew, Abhey future, I believe, Singh Sandhu (See the story on page on will look upon ) – parted ways. this century not Dr. Douglas Allen, Professor of Phi- as the atomic losophy at the University of Maine who age but as the is writing a book on the Mahatma pro- age of ." - . vides an intriguing perspective, ‘Espe- ‘EveryH Indian city has a Mahatma Gan- cially relevant and significant today is a ‘dhi Road. Almost. But how many actu- greatly misunderstood position from ally walk down the road that the Ma- the non-violent Gandhi. Rather insist- hatma illuminated through his ing on some utopian, absolutist posi- thoughts and credo? Over generalised tion, Gandhi grants a surprising and simplified, Gandhi has been re- number of cases in which there are no duced to a synonym for non-violence good non-violent alternatives and vio- without any attempt at understanding lence is necessary. But we should never the brushstrokes of thoughts that glorify such violence. The fact that we panned the Gandhian canvas and may need to resort to violence is tragic, their nuanced hues that today, more should sadden us, and is an indication than ever, need to be revisited under of human failure.’ new light. Today, Gandhi’s philosophy perme- Gandhi’s firm backing of his basic ates pop in a relatively superfi- principles – that of and satyag- cial manner like Raj Kumar Hirani’s raha – were evident in his calling off the "Lage Raho Munnabhai" or tongue-in- non- movement after an cheek cards. But his mes- irate and incited mob went on a violent sage, the unique stamp of which finds rampage in the small town of Chauri an echo in the voice of a Desmond Tutu Chaura in Uttar Pradesh, dousing a po- or a (See story on lice station killing 22 policemen on Suu Kyi on page 52) needs to spread February 4, 1922. The shockwaves of more because in a more complex and Chauri Chaura sharply divided the pro- nuanced world ‘his philosophy may tagonists of ’s freedom struggles provide all the answers’ as Dr. Allen the moderates and the extremists, most says, ‘yet Gandhi’s philosophy is re- noted among whom was Bhagat Singh markably insightful, relevant, and des- – ‘He believed in action which Gandhi perately needed.’ g a n d h i i n t h e 21 s t c e n t u r y aung san suu kyi

Suu has transcended a state Alan Clements (AC): sense of ? I cannot encourage that kind guarantee their security. We of mind beyond forgiveness; When you reflect back over ASK: Non-violence means of attitude, for if we do, we can’t say, "Follow us in the she’s not even asking the peo- the years, what have been the positive action. You have to will be perpetuating a cycle of way of non-violence and ple to forgive the generals – most important experiences work for whatever you want. violence that will never end. you’ll be protected," or that she’s actually trying to say we and personal lessons that You don’t just sit there doing AC: Is non-violence an im- we’ll get there without any ca- want you as part of the solu- have had a significant effect nothing and hope to get what mutable ethical & spiritual sualties. That’s a promise we tion, which is hard to be- on your growth as an indi- you want. I know that it is of- principle that will never alter can’t make. lieve… In that sense, she has vidual?? ten the slower way and I un- in your approach...? We have chosen the way of many comparisons to Gan- Aung San Suu Kyi derstand why our young peo- ASK: We have always said non-violence for we think it’s dhi. At the same time, she is (ASK): What I have learned ple feel that non-violence will that we will never disown politically better for the coun- alive in this modern world in life is that it’s always your not work. Especially when the those students and others try in the long run to establish with contemporary under- own wrongdoing that causes authorities in Burma are pre- who have taken up violence. that you can bring about standing of things that didn’t you the greatest suffering. It is pared to talk to insurgent We know that their aim is the change without the use of exist in the 40s and 50s. never what other people do to groups, but not to an organi- same as ours. They want de- arms. Here, we’re not thinking What do you think is the you. My mother instilled in zation like the National mocracy and they think the about spiritual matters at all. motivation in facing ruth- me the principle that wrong- League for Democracy (NLD) best way to go about it is Perhaps in that sense, we’re less torture and violence? doing never pays, and my which carries no arms. That through armed struggle. And not the same as Gandhi... But The people of Burma know own experience has proved makes a lot of people feel that we do not say that we have the he did say at one time that if that they are on the right side that to be true. If you have the only way you can get any- right methods of achieving he had to choose between vio- of right, so to speak; they positive feelings towards other where is by bearing arms. But what we want. But, we cannot lence and cowardice, he have history on their side. people… they can’t frighten would choose violence. So They know that dictatorship, you. I think only when you even Gandhi, who was sup- fascism, always fall. They stop loving other people do posed to be the great expo- know that you really suffer. THE REBEL nent of non-violence, was not overthrew the domination of AC: What is the core somebody who did not make the British; the white apart- quality at the center of any exceptions... heid machine in South Africa your movement? SAINT AC: What about the victims THE MONK WHO seeming impenetrable col- ASK: Inner strength. It’s the who don’t have the resiliency lapsed; the Berlin Wall fell. spiritual steadiness that comes Alan Clements in conversation that you and your colleagues They know the power of free- from the belief that what you with Aung San Suu Kyi… have, and do feel violated SOLD HIS PEACE dom. There is a great power are doing is right, even if it by the atrocities committed The first American ordained a Buddhist monk in in the moral ethical integrity doesn’t bring you immediate to them? of their revolution. Yes, they concrete benefits... and helps ASK: Of course… This is why Burma, Alan Clements has been witness to the worst are deeply tested all the time to shore up your spiritual we are talking about the con- of atrocities exacted by the junta through – they are a country under powers. nection of truth and reconcili- his stay in a Rangoon monastery in the 70s. Author siege. There are 50 million AC: On one level, you speak ation. Certainly, their suffer- prisoners held against their of genuine reconciliation, ings have to be acknowledged. of “Burma: The Next Killing Fields?”, Alan’s conversa- will; 3000 villages have been but at the same time, are you You can’t just wipe away the tions with Aung San Suu Kyi in ’95-’96 became the book completely burnt to the also speaking to the need of past. If you try, there will al- ground; million refugees live the population to steadily in- ways be this ocean of festering “The Voice of Hope” (edited excerpts on facing page) outside the country; two mil- crease their dissatisfaction resentment within those who that provides remarkable insight into one of the lion people displaced in the towards SLORC (the mili- have truly suffered… as country; the country is starv- tary junta)…? though they’ve suffered for most courageous non-violent revolutions of the ing… a country oppressed by ASK: It’s not really the need nothing; as though their sons world and its exemplary leader. this very wicked dictatorship, to grow "uncomfortable." Our and fathers had died for noth- supported by the money of principal task is to encourage ing. That there’s an admission , Russia, and also India. people to question the situa- of the injustice done, will take Do you think the success of to keep the idea of freedom minds of millions. Where do they get their tion and not just accept every- away a lot of the resentment. a "non-co-operation move- alive in the hearts of the peo- Compare and contrast Gan- stamina, their vitality? I think thing. Acceptance is not the Mind you, there will always ment" has more to do with ple. So in that sense… many dhi and Daw Suu. they draw on the wellspring same as serenity. Some people be people who can never for- the presence of a charismat- people in the world have I would say that she’d feel re- of compassion, of self-re- seem to think they go togeth- give. But we must always try ic leader (Gandhi, Aung San beautiful values but they can- markably honored to be in spect. They are thinking of er… (it) destroys the sense to. In Chile they had a council Suu Kyi) than the ideals not be activated unless there any comparison to Gandhiji; their children’s children’s chil- of serenity and inner peace, for truth and reconciliation (First c Alan Clements published 1997) of Hope . Voice The from excerpts Edited http://www.worlddharmaonlineinstitute.com/ themselves (satyagraha, is someone who knows how she’s very quick say that I’m dren, in dedicating to free- for you’re in with and there’s one now in South non-violence)? to water those values in their an ordinary person doing the dom, and history has proven yourself. Africa, under Archbishop In his book "Long Walk to heart. Gandhi was one of best I can. (Is) remarkably them right that at one point AC: Daw Suu, how effective Desmond Tutu. I very much Freedom", those who knew how to committed to the power of in the future, there’ll be a free is non-violence in the mod- believe in it. The admission of mentions how important it moisture the seeds of libera- non-violence and love, and society in Burma. ern world, and more specifi- injustice, to a certain extent, was for him as one of the tion and truth and commit- non-cooperation with op- cally, with regimes that seem will prevent it from happen- principal leaders in the ANC ment to non-violence in the pression… Daw (Madam) Indira Parthasarathy devoid of sensitivity or any ing again.

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heid laws. Over 9,000 volun- teers were imprisoned in this campaign where Mandela was appointed the National the Relevance of Gandhi Volunteer-in-Chief. It is im- ela gandhi on the simple, yet profound, teachings of the mahatma portant to note that Mandela and other leaders of the ANC were engaged in a debate as had their turns to work in the ries to sleep in and ablution fa- to whether the campaign kitchen, cleaning or taking cilities. This can only happen if should follow the Gandhian care of the ablution facilities. each one takes care to clean up belief of non-violence or not. People took pride in what they after they have used these fa- In 1960, the ANC was out- did no matter how menial the cilities. Bapuji’s life has many lawed. It was in these cir- task was. It was a lesson on the examples of work in as much cumstances that Mandela in- dignity of labour which does as cleaning of facilities himself itiated a debate stating that not exist in the world today. during the plague outbreak in the liberation movement Bapuji’s idea was based on the South Africa and during the should consider moving dignity of all labour with no march in South Africa in 1913 away from our non-violent status attached to any job. To- and many others in India. struggle towards an armed day it may sound utopian. Simplicity was another val- struggle. After vigorous de- Being ready to do menial ue that I experienced living in bate, both, the African and tasks, no matter how qualified Phoenix and in . Indian Congresses accepted a person is, helps dispel the Growing up I had many role the idea and permission was myth of caste and class barri- models who, in turn, were in- given to establish an armed ers. I was taught that inde- spired by Bapuji. My mother wing called 'Umkhonto we pendence is being able to take Sushila Gandhi and her sister Sizwe' (Spear of the Nation), Tara Mashruwala were great but strictly avoided any inju- inspirations for me. Tara masi ry to people. At this stage, said started a Kasturba Ashram in a prisoner of faith Mandela and others were ar- Madhan. She chose a life of A M Kathrada, a south african political activist on rested and charged with sab- "If we don't celibacy and simplicity living the shaping of south africa on gandhi's ideologies... otage. I was amongst the oth- with bare minimum posses- er eight people to serve life waste re- sions and worked tirelessly for imprisonment. Mandela the upliftment of rural wom- n my childhood years er, the South African Indian ership was replaced and a served 27 years in prison sources en. My mother chose a life Gandhiji was already a Congress launched a Passive Program of Action was while I spent 26 years. of austerity and worked tire- household name in the Resistance campaign against adopted. The practice of pas- Coming to the present we'll be the lessly to promote the teachings Indian community. He an anti-Indian law, during sive resistance was signifi- times, the negative aspect is happiest of Gandhiji. wasI instrumental in the for- which about 2,000 volunteers cantly taken further when that Gandhji's teachings and Living in the shadow of mation of the Natal Indian were imprisoned. This had the South African Indian the passive resistance strug- people in such luminaries one cannot Congress (1893), which later the full backing of Gandhiji Congress and the ANC joint- gle that he waged, both in but develop resistance to ex- was the largest component of and the Indian National ly launched the Campaign South Africa and India, are the world" pensive ornaments, jewelry the South African Indian Congress. It was during the for the Defiance of Unjust not generally known. But and fine clothes. It is these Congress. Under Gandhiji's 1946 Passive Resistance cam- Laws in 1952. Both, African Mahatma Gandhi's princi- fads that lead to dissatisfaction leadership, the Indian com- paign that I (at the age of 17) and Indian volunteers were ples can be universally and rowing up in Bapu- simple but profound values. care of your essential needs and a feeling of wanting more munity in Natal and Trans- served my first prison sen- called upon, in an organised eternally relevant. It remains ji’s (Gandhiji's) first At Sevagram, where as a yourself. Bapuji’s biography all the time, leading to gross vaal provinces had (in 1906 tence of one month. Al- way, to defy specific apart- for countries and people not ashram, the Phoe- seven year old, I spent some records how he took on the consumerism and growing and 1913) participated in though in 1947 the leaders of only to embrace them but to nix Settlement in two-three weeks living with task of keeping the ablutions inequalities. Bapuji said, “If courageous and historic the South African Indian actively promote them. Even DurbanG and later for a few Bapuji, I learnt many things. clean at the first Congress con- we do not waste our wealth campaigns of passive resist- Congress and the African mahatma in South Africa, our transi- weeks living at the Sevagram Unlike Phoenix, where each ference he attended. When we and energy, the climate and ance, which can be regarded National Congress (ANC) tion to democracy in 1994 Ashram as a child, taught me family maintained their own contemplate the spread of glo- natural resources of our coun- as the genesis of what was to had signed a pact of unity, Gandhi's was a result of a peaceful set- many lessons on the value of household, at Sevagram there bal epidemics today, concern try are such that we can be- develop into the the ANC continued to be led tlement. The aim was to community life, the value of was community cooking and for good sanitary habits be- come the happiest people in movement in India. by conservative leaders who principles build a united nation, based simplicity, the value of not sharing of ablutions. Adjusting comes an important lesson the world.” After Gandhiji's departure were wedded to the politics on forgiveness, friendship wanting to compete for access to a common kitchen was dif- from Bapuji’s book. from South Africa in 1914 of resolutions, petitions and can be uni- and reconciliation leaving no to various items but rather cre- ficult but over time I began ap- Community living demands As told to Neha Sarin there was a lull in Indian deputations. Mandela and versally room for negative emotions ating your own beauty. One preciating the simplicity of not only sharing of tasks but politics which continued un- the leaders of the ANC Youth such as bitterness, hatred can write about many lessons community life. In Phoenix also being cognizant of and (The author is the granddaughter of til 1946. In June, 1946, under League were not satisfied and eternal- and . from Bapuji’s life as his teach- settlement and Sevagram, peo- sensitive to others needs. We Mahatma Gandhi and a peace activist. the newly elected leadership with this conservatism. So, in ings span over so many areas ple were simply people with- all love to have neat and tidy She was also a Member of Parliament of Dr. Dadoo and Dr. Naick- 1949, the conservative lead- ly relevant as told to Neha Sarin but I'll limit my scope to these out any distinction. Everyone kitchens to work in, dormito- in South Africa from 1994-2004)

the sunday indian 54 15 february 2009 the sunday indian 55 15 february 2009 g a n d h i i n t h e 2 1 s t c e n t u r y GANDHI IN BLACK AND WHITE Civil rights leader and US presidential candidate in 1984, the Reverend Jesse Jackson has known ‘change’ from close quarters. One of the eminent figures in American public life, the Reverend holds forth on the immutabil- ity of Gandhian principles to Aakriti Bhardwaj…

er of non-violent thrust, they again, and never really works. to the in Iraq? can win the quest for a two Old systems of violence, slav- It would usher in the day of state solution. It'll never be ery, colonialism, apartheid, . Sunnis and achieved through missiles they haven't been able to with- Kurds and Shiites must learn to and rockets… stand people’s will for self- live together and coexist and 'Resisting evil with non-co- determination. not co-annilihate. They must operation' – do you think it Many movements, without choose life over death; choose works in ruthless and mind- calling his name, embrace his to go forward with hope and less genocide cases like philosophy. Major change in not backward by fear. Get in Rwanda or Cambodia? America, massive youth in- their minds and heart. So, the Absolutely! I think it can work volvements, multi-cultural decision to coexist and not in Rwanda, West Bank, in voting, electing an African- annihilate will apply to Iraq Gaza, Zimbabwe – the use of American President – all as well. non-violence as a form of this came through a non-vio- Civil Rights Movement in moral power has the ability to lent political movement. A America right up to Obama’s mobilise international support peaceful non-violent move- victory – how much of an in- and can work anywhere. Be- ment enabled us to get the fluence has Gandhi or Gan- cause inherent in non-violence right to vote, and now non-vi- dhism had on it? is the ability to sacrifice for the olent voting brought about Absolute influence. Gandhi's greater good and there is pow- the change. philosophy helped bring down er in sacrifice. Unarmed suf- What would happen if Gan- walls of segregation. The use of fering, Dr. King would say, is dhi’s principles were applied his technique got us the right redemptive and suffering to vote. The use of non- breeds character, character violence enabled us to breeds faith and in the end build coalitions across faith will prevail. racial lines and begin In these frighteningly inse- healing. It enabled us to cure times driven by reli- build appreciation for gious fanaticism and terror each other, and to over- Gandhi and has weapon. Secondly, Gandhi were clear, and heart pure, you America. I so fervently wish strikes, is it possible that come past fears. This is been at the centre of libera- knew that there is power in have the power to change con- Just as eye that someone in the Middle Gandhian ideals may have Gandhian. Leadership tion movements around the non-cooperation, in resistance ditions. He inspired the move- East, that the Palestinians, been rendered "old-fash- by faith and hope, not by world, be it America, Myan- and in resisting oppression. ment against legal segregation for an eye would see the value in a non- ioned" or "ineffective". Con- fear, prevailed. Gandhi's mar, South Africa, and need- Gandhi showed us that you in the USA and Apartheid in and tooth violent movement for change sidering the massive civil philosophies of non-vio- less to mention, India. What can save the oppressed and the South Africa, sowing the seeds and shared power and see the unrest around us, how do lent direct action, using scenario in today’s age could oppressor – it is victory with- to end those systems, without for a tooth value in coexistence over co- you think the current genera- available resources, make do with Gandhian ide- out destruction. destruction. In US, Martin Lu- annihilation. Just as an eye for tion perceives the Gandhian building coalitions and als and how? Gandhi knew there is power ther King embraced the phi- will leave an eye and tooth for a tooth ideology? building mutual appre- Gandhi knew that there was in caring about yourself, ade- losophy, and non-violent, di- will leave you blinded and dis- Gandhi's philosophy and tra- ciation for each other, power in the force of our quately, and about your oppo- rect action led to change in the you blinded figured. Exchanging missiles ditions are eternal and univer- keeping our eyes on the souls; not just power in mili- sition, because both occupy laws in this country. and rockets will leave us all sal. Violence is old fashioned prize of peace and an tary might. When one is mor- the same real estate, the earth. We won the battles in South and disfig- losers and nobody wins. If and will not work. Violence end to global poverty, ally right, that is a strong He knew that if your goals Africa, India and North ured. they could appreciate the pow- has been tried over and over marches on.

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andhi’s principles Singh drift away and choose war between Jinnah and Ne- unfair. Bhagat Singh was a cannot prove to be his own means of mobilising hru for the Prime Minister’s learned gentleman and if he effective in today’s the youth to take steps against post divided India into three was alive, he would have been world, though suppression. During that time parts. The words proved to be a true youth icon for the evenG Bhagat Singh did not when Gandhi and Nehru prophetic, for even today we country today. participate in violence. He be- were representatives of India, continue to waste money and In this age of terror, one lieved in action which Gandhi Bhagat Singh’s uncle, Ajit resources on issues to do with couldn’t sit back and follow did not take up. Bhagat Singh Singh (who had been an asso- our borders, communalism the so-called principles of had only injured one Britisher ciate of ) had and terrorism. Satyagraha. Bhagat Singh’s who was responsible for Lala met the two leaders and Bhagat Singh and his com- struggle was always against Lajpat Rai’s demise. Also, the voiced his concerns on the rades smilingly sacrificed the system and not against the bomb that he had thrown in Partition, and warned that the their lives for the nation. He people. We need that kind of the parliament was not really country would have to pay a was wrongly imputed the im- an approach and not just sit a bomb. That was a cracker heavy price for it in the years age of a young trigger-happy around, waiting for peace. If which was only meant to send to come. But then the tug of man. His trial and death was we take examples of the bat- across a message. Bhagat tles of 1965 and 1971, only ac- Singh was not in favour of vi- tion had got the matter re- olence and certainly did not Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat solved. As a soft state, India’s want bloodshed of innocent nephew, Abhey Singh Sand- current approach is to avoid people. The British had pro- Singh’s , but has that got us posed the Trade Dispute Bill hu (son of S.Kulbir Singh, the young- peace? Our citizens cannot be against which Bhagat Singh er brother of the martyr), talks to taken for granted. had raised his voice. The Bill Belonging to Bhagat Singh’s was later withdrawn. So, it TSI about how Bhagat Singh’s ap- family, we are often asked why was determination more than proach during the struggle for in- we are not in politics like the anything else that Bhagat Nehru family. My father, Kul- Singh played on. dependence represented a conflict bir Singh, was an MLA during Bhagat Singh wanted to of ideology but not interest… 1962-67. He simply could not harness the energy of India’s fit in with the system; corrup- youth and channelise it to at- tion, greed for power and tain independence. If you money put him off. I have my look back, Bhagat Singh’s own business and I feel that I popularity had soared amidst would not be able to deal with the youth. So much so that the hypocrisy and double Gandhi was threatened standards. Today’s youth is enough to dismiss his ap- also fed up and lack an iconic proach as not really ideal. leader. India Today had done Bhagat Singh dreamt of in- a survey in which Bhagat dependence too. He partici- Singh was voted as an apt pated in the freedom struggle leader by the youth. with Gandhi and attended the Bhagat Singh stood for Congress sessions. The Asa- equality and denounced any hyog Andolan (Non Coopera- kind of class distinction. Even tion Movement) made Bhagat in his Jail Diary, he had pre- dicted that he would be sen- tenced to death and that India Bhagat would be independent in an- other 15 yearsor so. He had Singh, if sown the seeds of a revolt. Unfortunately, he died prema- alive, would turely and Gandhi became known as the nation’s hero, have been a though the contribution of both was equal. true youth If Gandhi’s ideologies and icon for the principles were adequate, then why do we still have so many country problems today? today As told to Spriha Srivastava

the sunday indian 58 15 february 2009 g a n d h i i n t h e 2 1 s t c e n t u r y Perspectives on gandhi: yesterday & today Rakeysh Omprakash, whose film jolted a passive india to action, chooses gandhism over Bhagat Singh's ideologies for the present times...

Your film “” dom when it comes to turning to advocate Gandhism to the trying hard to make ends (RDB) was inspired by the other cheek. In today’s world's oppressed youth? meet, to abide by the laws. Bhagat Singh’s revolutionary times, it is the right approach It definitely would make They don’t want to live in a ideologies that contrast the to follow, and it is being sense. Misguided youth resort hostile or violent situation. non-violent ideologies of followed by great thinkers to violence, which leads to Having said that, to defend Gandhism… all over the world. terrorism. We need to go one's integrity or land, we My movie and Bhagat Singh’s In today’s insecure times, back and imbibe our Indian have soldiers so that civilians ideology were not about vio- what is the relevance of cultural values. can sleep peacefully. I’m sure lence but anti-establishment. Gandhism? What all was Bhagat Singh the General or Chief of Army What is Gandhism? Would It has always been given a cli- striving to achieve? is not a violent person. Our you describe it to the cynics, chéd treatment. It is about He was foresighted. Bhagat Defence Minister, too, is not who understand it simply as changing from within. Gan- walked down the gallows will- violent. Our Prime Minister turning the other cheek dhi lived in South Africa, in ingly. He had enough chances Manmohan Singh, who's fin- when slapped on one? the . He com- to escape, but he didn’t. His ger alone can launch our nu- Gandhism is a reality, but sel- pletely disregarded the idea of friends had persuaded him clear weapons, is not violent. not to throw the smoke So you feel defending one’s bombs, but he did. He wanted integrity and land is not to set an example. His fight violence? was not with the Britishers There is no one reality to life. but with exploitation. That Would you say that the suc- time it was the British, now, it cess of the non-cooperation is our own people. movement was more because RDB took the risk of pre- of the charismatic leader senting a path of revolt... driving it than the ideals See, that was a story, which I themselves? also happen to believe in. The movement was a well When you have to make a thought out belief in a way of statement, you have to take a life, meant to economically risk. One cannot be safe and hurt the Britishers and pro- also follow one's beliefs. mote indigenous industries. Did you make a conscious Which ideology will be in- effort to avoid anti-Gandhi fluencing your children? remarks through RDB? A combination of both. The No, RDB wasn’t an anti-Gan- two are not against each other, "that (rdb) untouchability and to prove dhi movie. So, there's no they serve the same purpose, so to the segment that target- question of anti or pro but are just different routes to was a sto- ed them as untouchables, he remarks of any sort. it. One cannot question their chose to live with the Hari- Bhagat Singh's beliefs had an individual integrity. ry... when jans. If you believe in some- anti-Gandhi undertone... I think that the Gandhian thing, don’t just speak about Whoever said that is wrong. approach is the right you have to it, but do it yourself. If you be- Both RDB and "Lage Raho approach for present times. make a lieve in non-violence, there " were hit films. We've been drifting away should be no hatred, no com- Whose ideology do you from it. We need to remind statement, munal divide. To change from think is more popular? ourselves how to love each within, is the only way for- By and large, the public like other. One cannot counter you have to ward. War is a problem not the Gandhian approach. They hatred with hatred. a solution. are all ordinary people strug- take a risk" Would it be a good idea gling every day to survive, Neha Sarin

the sunday indian 60 15 february 2009 t y p o s living it up-positively

n o t e s t o m y s e l f betrayal at chauri chaura he harm that good men do’, was an essay by Bertrand destitution. We’ve seen terrible times, and no one did a thing to Russell that I never finished reading but was a heading I help...” said Bharat. Freedom had demanded far more than death often thought about whenever I heard the name Gandhi from . ‘Tbeing discussed… I had often witnessed disparate schools of thought The Thapars saw terrible times, and it didn’t matter if the nation converging on the notion that , as well as Gandhi was being run by those who Sukhdev fought against, or those who the idea, had often done more harm than good to the cause of this he fought alongside. The apathy of free India was as painful as the nation’s freedom, from both communalism and colonialism. persecution of the British India. It is said that Bharat’s father, Sukh- Many years ago, on this very day, the 4th of February, near the dev’s younger brother, Prakash Chand Thapar had to pull carts and town of Gorakhpur, there once lay 22 charred bodies and a few sell grass to make ends meet. “We’ve only now begun to eat three blackened bayonets. And amidst the rubble and ruins of that day, Prashanto Banerji square meals a day… I’m in my 50s now but for as far back as I can there also lay the smoking ruins of a nation’s aspirations. The year Features Editor remember, life has been about survival. I wish I had the opportunity The Sunday Indian was 1922 and the place – a little known police station in a town to sit with my grandparents and listen to the legend of my brave called Chauri Chaura. uncle, but I never had the time… its been hard…really hard”, lamented Bharat. At Chauri Chaura that day, a non-violent march, part of a nation-wide Naughara, Sukhdev’s ancestral house in Ludhiana, where nine Thapar families Non-Cooperation movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, turned lived together was handed over by Bharat to the local administration, in the hope violent when policemen opened fire on unarmed protestors, killing three of that it would be made into a memorial or a library. “I didn’t want a penny…”, them. The angry mob went on the rampage and burnt down the police-chowki. said a disgusted Bharat. “All I wanted was to hand over the property but they Twenty-two policemen, too, were burnt alive inside the police station. Gandhi felt made me run from pillar to post and kept me waiting outside their office for he had been betrayed, perhaps even shamed by his followers. For him, violence hours…can you believe that? Recently, they renamed the Ludhiana bus stand was not an option. His followers had committed themselves to ahimsa. And yet, in my uncle’s honour and that is all my uncle has been reduced to – a photo-op they had weakened and given in to their impulses, thus jeopardising the move- for politicians. I wasn’t even called. They picked up a random ‘Thapar’ to attend ment around the country. He wanted to disown the action of the protestors at the event while I stood there unrecognised.” Chauri Chaura and therefore he denounced them and withdrew a movement Sukhdev’s battles aren’t over yet. One of his compatriots, Hansraj Vohra, had that had galvanised a nation. photo-op become an approver and he was the one responsible for the conviction and death The protestors too felt betrayed. Not only were they being hunted down, but of Sukhdev, Bhagat Singh and Rajguru. Vohra later became a journalist, but to their leader had, in effect, given them up, holding them accountable for not just add insult to injury, the cowardly Vohra tried to justify his actions by saying that the death of the policemen but also the withdrawal of the movement. he did it because Sukhdev, his guru, had turned approver first and also because… But the sense of betrayal was greatest amongst the masses that had burnt their you’re not going to believe this… he ridiculously enough, wanted to complete his bridges and committed themselves to the Non-Cooperation movement. Men, final year of college (??). And so he bought his freedom with their blood, which women and even little children had been carried away by the wave of national- he now had tainted. Noted journalist Kuldip Nayyar who investigated the allega- ism only to be left stranded. That day in Chauri Chaura cleaved a deep divide tions once said in an interview that had Sukhdev compromised, “he wouldn’t between the methods and mission of a betrayed Mahatma and that of those have been hanged. It was Vohra, an insider who spilled the beans.” who felt betrayed by the Mahatma. Amongst the latter were two little children Vohra claimed he was shown a signed testimony by Sukhdev which is why he in whose meteoric lives streaked across our national consciousness, in believed Sukhdev had betrayed them, but as a friend and fellow revolutionary, a blaze of glory that many say rivals the aura of even a Gandhi. One of them, Vohra was bound to have known better. Sukhdev, when a small boy in school, a lad called Bhagat Singh lived a well documented life, but the other, a certain had refused to salute visiting British military officers in spite of a severe caning. Sukhdev Thapar, has been reduced to a foot note. And only such a boy could have embraced the hangman’s noose with a song Bhagat and Sukhdev met each other while in college in and became on his lips. the best of friends. And from the day they met they matched each other step for Just before being hanged, Sukhdev had written a letter to Gandhi, declar- step, all the way to the gallows and that is a well documented story. But what after ing that he believed his country would be served better by his death. He also that? What happens after a freedom fighter has made the supreme sacrifice? Well, requested Gandhi not to ask the revolutionaries on behalf of the British to ‘give there were many who actually didn’t have to die. They managed just fine with up violence’. This would only serve their intention of maligning revolutionaries in a series of protest marches, lectures and mild-mannered discussions around a the eyes of the masses. But Gandhi did not stop appealing to the revolutionaries, few tables. The situation required consistent and delicate handling, but in return, and while all of India begged Bapu to plead for the lives of the trio and not sign the British bureaucracy and our democracy allowed them, and many of their the Gandhi-Irwin pact, Gandhi went ahead and signed, thus sealing their fate. descendents, the right to define our past, present and future. But what of those Many historians believe, Gandhi could have saved them. He chose not to… he who did go all the way? In order to find out, I went in search of Bharat Bhushan would have had his reasons. Thapar, paternal nephew of the great Sukhdev. It wasn’t a pretty picture... As for Sukhdev, on the 23rd of , at 1933hrs, his tall figure cast a Sukhdev’s family had always supported his cause. His father Ram Lal Thapar long shadow as he joined his best friends on their way to the gallows. And the ran a successful business and “ …on occasions, Sukhdevji would come and take walls of Lahore Central Jail echoed his voice as he sang … Shaheedon ki chitaon the day’s earnings because the party (Hindustan Socialist Republican Associa- par judenge har baras mele/ Watan par mitne waalon ka yehi baaki nishan hoga; tion) needed funds. His father and brothers of course were all happy to support Kabhi yeh bhi din ayega jab apna raaj dekhenge/ Jab apni hi zameen hogi aur him as much as possible,” recounted Bharat Bhushan. apna aasmaan hoga. But soon their world was to come crashing down on the Thapars. Sukhdev Martyrdom is not a martyr’s alone for there are those that love him, miss was hanged and his father was arrested and deported. “Neighbours, not want- him and suffer for him in his wake. And whether it is a Sukhdev Thapar or a ing to be seen around the family of a revolutionary, avoided us like the plague. Sandeep Unnikrishnan, a nation that cannot honour its heroes, surely doesn’t After numerous raids, the family business collapsed. We were on the verge of deserve any…

(SMS your views with your name and topic at 0-9818101234) the sunday indian 64 15 february 2009