On this solemn day of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination, it would be nice
to remember that though the Mahatma does not live among us his spirit
does. No doubt the recent incantations of the Mahatma's name in the
great fight launched by the so-called Gandhian moralist Anna Hazare
has made the Mahatma look small. Mahatma's did engage in fasts but
they were of a different nature -- a protest against the
high-handedness and the suppression of India's nationalist dream by
the British.
I remember a carton carried in a US paper on the day Martin Luther
King was assassinated which showed Gandhi's spirit talking to Dr.
King, "The odd thing about assassins, Dr. King, is that they think
they have killed you."
In a way, Anna has proved that Gandhi's ideals live with us as much as
his spirit. Whatever political pundits and social scientists may say
about Anna, he does invoke the Mahatma's name. His purpose and his
method may have not met Gandhi's approval. Gandhi will continue to
inspire people's struggles.
The great Goan struggle against corruption, a main plank in the
Opposition's armour in the election campaign, is undoubtedly a
people's fight through various NGOs. Those in the forefront of the
fight against corruption, nepotism and other matters that hammer Goa's
progress and bring the state into disrepute must make it a point to
remember Gandhi today and carry on their valiant battles.
These are Gandhi's warriors and, I hope, some of them join the
election battle and win.
Eugene
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