Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was an inspirational leader who devoted his life to the pursuit of justice and peace. He fought for India’s independence, championing the principles of non-violence and civil disobedience. His genius for uniting people behind a common cause was remarkable, and he was able to bring about a social and political revolution for India. Gandhi’s philosophy of satyagraha, or “truth-force,” encouraged people to resist oppressive laws peacefully, by engaging in civil disobedience and non-cooperation. He also advocated for the importance of self-reliance, stressing the need for individuals to take responsibility for their own destiny. His teachings and influence continue to reverberate around the world, inspiring many to fight for justice and stand up for their beliefs.
Mahatma said in “Selected Political Writings” that “swaraj”, or “independence”, is the term to be used to describe a nation’s or people’s “independence”. This essay will address the question: Why did Gandhi believe that nations should rule themselves? What does Gandhi mean by saying that the “external” freedom is always the measure of our own freedom? We find that laws designed to provide us with freedom can often become the very things that hold us back. Why does he say “warfare is a way to get another rule in place of the English rule. But not self rule”?
Let me first answer why Gandhi believes that nations must be self-governing. Gandhi uses “swaraj,” which means independence or self rule. He claims, from a political standpoint, that “swaraj”, or self-government is better than good government. This means that India is free of the control of Great Britain. Gandhi became enraged by the abuse, oppression, crisis, and injustice that his country was facing. He led a movement of non-violent civil defiance. The colonized must be liberated first, and then the colonizers. Gandhi understood that real power never belonged to the colonizers or government but rather the people. Gandhi stated that India would grow if the “swaraj”, or “independence” goal, was achieved. Gandhi wanted India to undergo a major change, the kind that affects all individuals, communities, and society. He did not say that “swaraj”, the change from British rule to Indian rule, would be simple because “it is more than just a change in government”. It’s a change in the hearts of people.
The next thing I’ll do is explain what Gandhi meant by saying that “external liberty will always be a way to measure the freedom of oneself within”. We find that laws designed to free us are often the very ones that bind us. Gandhi said in that quote that Indians shouldn’t wait for the British to leave, but instead should reform themselves. His “constructive plan” (106), he called it. He made this statement in response to Indians who questioned him about the fact that he could not achieve social reforms until Britain left. Gandhi concentrated his efforts on the social changes. Gandhi believed that it was not enough to just attack India’s politics and economy to achieve independence. He also felt that the entire society should be attacked. This was a reform where everyone had to be committed to changing society and uplifting others. He’s also saying when he uses the word “laws,” he’s referring to “the lawmakers” and their tendency to take control of people rather than just represent them. Power is easily abused by those in it, which is why power should be retained with the citizens. Gandhi’s people had to see this in action to free themselves from the British who ruled. The British were able to exert such power on India by using “fear” of government officials, courts, and legislators. Gandhi stated that this power will be lost once Indians realize that they are the ones who can bring about their own freedom, not through the government.
Lastly, let’s look at why Gandhi said, “Warfare may give another rule to the English, but not independence.” Gandhi’s message is that violence would not lead to the independence that they seek (swaraj), only another ruler. He has promoted “swaraj”, and he also notes that it is “a painful climb” to get there. It is a difficult climb because it requires a national awakening and education of the Indian people that violence will not bring about “swaraj”. He uses the analogy of a’multi-headed monster’ and how violence will only cut off one side, while another is revealed. Gandhi uses this example to demonstrate that the English would continue to come into India and rule over it if violence was used. He admits that India’s revolution is coming, but it can’t if the English are still ruling the country. Gandhi explains his non-violence in response to questions he received that challenged his beliefs. It was a contradiction that asked “if it’s proven that a killing a handful of hundred can stop the degradation of 33 millions”? Gandhi reacted to the strong statement that has been repeated over and over again in history. He argues that this is not the best for humanity as it was with “swaraj”. It is only temporary. Non-violence has a lasting effect.
Gandhi said that India had a greater responsibility to the state it was in, which included the English rule and the necessity for non-violence. Gandhi said that if India is only giving “good” then the English cannot do much more evil to India. India was oppressed for so long by Great Britain that the Indian society did not know where its real power lay. India, not Great Britain is responsible for this.
The essay concludes by asking: Why Gandhi believes nations should be able to govern themselves, and why “swaraj” (self-rule) is essential for a country to become completely independent. What does Gandhi mean when he says that “external liberties will always measure the internal freedom”? We find that laws intended to free us are often the very things that keep us bound. Therefore, social reforms must be undertaken and the individual’s freedom is dependent on their own personal changes. He also says “warfare could give us an alternative rule to English rule but it would not be self-rule”. This is because violence would only lead them to the same place they were before.
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