Articles by Cheddi Jagan 1964-1992
Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi by Dr. Cheddi Jagan (1969)
It is appropriate that we should join with people all over the world to celebrate the centenary of Mahatma Mohandus Karanchand Gandhi. Though an Indian national, he was a world citizen. By any standard, he would be categorized as great.
The Mahatma’s greatness lay, above all, in his dedication to serve. He was prepared to go to any lengths and to make any sacrifice in order to eradicate the evils in society, which prevented human brotherhood from being achieved in the real world.
His custom was not merely to preach, but also to practice, to set the example. It is said that his explanation for his simple loin cloth attire was that if he were to represent the countless millions of India, he must be one with them; he must look and feel like them.
He not only fought against evils of the cast system, but brought one of the so called "untouchables" into his home. Thought an ardent Hindu, his devotion to Hindu-Muslim unity resulted in his death from a religious fanatic’s bullet.
In the battle against British imperialism, his high moral scruples sometimes dismayed his closest lieutenants.
The Mahatma was essentially a man of peace. But he realized that peace could only come from struggle. He made it clear that his belief in non-violence was not to be confused with cowardice and pacifism. I heard one of his closest associates say that non-violence was for him not a creed; that non-violence, passive resistance and civil were the only methods open to him and the movement he led in the struggle against the British Raj under the then conditions prevailing in India.
In the course of his political struggle in India, he influenced and reared a school of selfless fighters for the people’s freedom.
But his influence was not limited to India. His example in the struggle against British imperialism was an inspiration to many others in the far-flung British Empire and beyond.
The late Christian Martin Luther King was virtually a disciple of the Hindu Mahatma. I myself, during my student days in the USA was largely influenced by his great struggle.
Gandhi did not live to see the complete fulfilment of his dreams. He spearheaded and saw the achievement of the first stage – national independence for India. The winning of social justice in India and on a world scale is yet to be. Others have taken up the fight in new conditions.
The battle for some of the Mahatma’s ideals are now being waged inside the party which he developed. It is regrettable that his advice was not heeded for the disbandment of the Congress Party after Independence. Had this been done, perhaps India would have avoided some of her present-day difficulties and still hold the moral leadership of the third world.
In doing homage to the Mahatma’s great personality, let us hope that his ideals would help the Indian people and government to clean out some of the parasites and barnacles who have attached themselves to the Indian political bandwagon. A people who have fought so bravely deserve a better reward.
Let us hope that his ideals will illumine and encourage in other lands.
© Nadira Jagan-Brancier 2000