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author- Gandhi
Comment: Shekhar KC
Indian Home Rule or Home rule in India This is the second book of Gandhiji that I have read so far. The previous one was the autobiography in Nepali translation, about three years ago in 2009, when I was pursuing my Bachelor’s degree. I found this book, Swarajya Swaraj, to be more influential; though more poignant than the detailed description of his truth experiment by Gandhiji in his autobiography. Swarajya Swaraj or Indian Home Rule was published in 1938 and its contents revolve around Gandhiji’s quest to convince people about the true meaning of Swaraj for India and all people.
It is difficult for an average reader or anyone who has little knowledge of spiritual knowledge or the essence of universal religious teachings to decipher Gandhiji’s responses in this book. The entire book is a subsequent question and answer between the reader and Gandhiji to clear all confusions and make clear the true nature of Swaraj and how it can be achieved in terms of the role of every person directly or indirectly involved.
Gandhiji neutrally condemned the role of machines, railways, doctors, lawyers in their due form, without allowing even the slightest hatred towards any group or ethnic group. Gandhiji firmly adhered to his teachings of non-violence and patience, dharma and self-reliance, even at the cost of life and starvation. He believed that only if every individual took the path of spiritual liberation could India escape the clutches of British rule or prevent further suffering from modern civilization. In other words, India could be restored to its original state, not by driving out the British or destroying any existing infrastructure and institutions, but by not allowing those aspects of British rule and modern civilization to further consolidate their roots. If every Indian knew how to govern himself, acquire the knowledge to take charge of his own mind, body and soul, India would achieve local self-government.
Why did Gandhiji not want machines to flourish and multiply further? He believed that these machines were for satisfying the unlimited needs and greed of a limited elite of money-conscious people, and he insisted that the level and quantity of use of these machines and tools should be limited to satisfying basic human needs other than luxuries.
The issue of nationalism is handled very skillfully. In the book, Gandhiji continues to defend British figures against the antipathy towards them in India. Gandhiji acknowledges the British contribution to the roots of Indian self-rule, while the “extremist” political groups in India are actively seeking to drive out, kill and retaliate against the British by means of guns and violence. Gandhiji reminds them that even if India builds its own army and government by killing and driving out the British, then Indian self-rule will not be achieved, but India will achieve the same goals that the British achieved by using violence in most of its colonies.
In the book, Gandhi seems to have lost his focus and is uncertain about the true nature of Indian self-rule. Some Indians want the British to leave India, while Gandhi believes that the British presence and contributions are the greatest credit for achieving Indian self-rule.
In the book, Gandhi argues that modern civilization is the root cause of Britain’s decline and is slowly affecting India. The essence of this civilization is to satisfy the greed of limited people and India should reject this civilization. Only those products and mechanisms that satisfy basic human needs should be accepted. Gandhi makes some satires on the nature and preconceptions of civilization, which usually come from books written by daydreamers – who defend modern civilization but do not do full justice to the subject involved. In his view, modern civilization lacks morality and true religious sentiment; it only satisfies the carnal happiness of millionaires by sucking the blood of the poor and powerless.
Gandhiji answered why it took time for India to achieve Swaraj. Swaraj and modern civilization were compared to good and evil. According to Gandhiji, good moves at a snail’s pace, but evil spreads at a rapid pace wherever there is truth. Gandhiji believed that despite having two hostile religions, Hindus and Muslims, with historical hatred, India could live in harmony without interference or judgment from political parties.
I understand from this book that Swaraj or Hindu Communalism is “Learning to Rule Oneself”. Unless one is inclined towards spiritual insight and knowledge, it is difficult to know the true nature of “Swaraj”.
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