RELEVANCE AND INFLUENCE OF GANDHIAN PRINCIPLES IN 2OTH AND 21ST CENTURY

INTRODUCTION
• Mahatma Gandhi, the revered leader of India's
independence movement, is widely regarded as one of
the most influential figures of the 20th century. His
unwavering commitment to nonviolent civil
disobedience and his relentless pursuit of social justice
have left an indelible mark on the world. This
presentation will explore the life, principles, and lasting
impact of this remarkable individual, whose legacy
continues to inspire generations of change makers.
• Mahatma Gandhi, widely revered as the "Father of the
Nation" in India, was a pivotal leader in the country's
struggle for independence from British rule. Born in
1869, Gandhi was a lawyer who transformed into a
social reformer and political leader, advocating for
nonviolent resistance and civil disobedience as
powerful tools for social and political change. His core
principles, such as nonviolence (ahimsa), truth (satya),
and self-reliance (swaraj), not only galvanized millions
of Indians to join the freedom movement but also
inspired civil rights movements across the world.
Gandhi's commitment to simplicity, humility, and
justice has left an enduring legacy, making him a global
symbol of peace and moral integrity.
TIMELINE

NONCOOPERATION
ENT NON COOPERATIONMOVEMENT
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H CHAURI
NONCHAURA INCIDENT
COOPERATION NON COOPERATI
MOVEMENT
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NON COOPERATION
MOVEMENT DANDI MARCH MOVEMENT
CHAURI CHAURA IN
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NON
DENCE DAYCOOPERATION MOVEMENT
QUIT INDIA MOVEMENT DANDI MA
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NON COOPERATION MOVEMENT

 GANDHIAN PRINCIPLES

NON VIOLENCE TRUTH CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE 3ELF RULE

•Gandhi firmly believed in For Gandhi, truth was the Satyagraha, meaning "truth Swaraj means self-rule or self-
nonviolence as the most ultimate reality and guiding force" or "soul force," is a form governance. Gandhi extended this
powerful weapon for oppressed principle. He believed in living of nonviolent resistance or civil concept beyond political
people. Ahimsa is not just and speaking the truth at all disobedience. Gandhi developed independence to include self-
physical nonviolence but also times. Satya involves honesty, this concept as a way to oppose discipline, self-reliance, and self-
involves avoiding harm in integrity, and transparency in unjust laws and policies through control at an individual level. He
thoughts and words. Gandhi personal and public life. peaceful protests and non- advocated for decentralized
used nonviolence as a method of Gandhi’s adherence to truth cooperation. Satyagraha aims to governance, local self-sufficiency,
resistance and conflict meant that he would not appeal to the conscience of the and economic independence.
resolution, aiming to transform compromise his principles for oppressor and bring about social Gandhi believed that true freedom
the oppressor through political expediency. He and political change without involved personal responsibility
compassion and moral viewed truth as synonymous violence. This principle was and community welfare. He
persuasion. with God, believing that demonstrated in major promoted the idea that individuals
this principle was applied in seeking truth was the essence campaigns like the Salt March and villages should be
various movements, significantly of human life. and the Quit India Movement, economically self-sufficient and
influencing global leaders and showcasing the power of politically autonomous.
civil rights movements. nonviolent resistance.
 Gandhian Principles - Influence in the 20th Century

1 3
INDIAN INDEPENDENCE
MOVEMENT 2 GLOBAL DECOLONIZATION

Gandhi's non-violence and civil Gandhi's methods inspired anti-

disobedience were crucial in India's CIVIL RIGHT MOVEMENT IN USA colonial leaders worldwide,
fight for independence, mobilizing Inspired by Gandhi, Dr. Martin promoting peaceful protests that
millions and gaining global support, Luther King Jr. used non-violent helped many nations achieve
leading to freedom in 1947. His key resistance to combat racial independence with minimal
movements like the Salt March and segregation, leading to significant violence in the mid-20th century.
Quit India Movement exemplified civil rights advances in the 1960s. Leaders like Kwame Nkrumah
peaceful resistance. These strategies King's peaceful protests, such as the and Jomo Kenyatta adopted his
not only united diverse groups within Montgomery Bus Boycott, tactics. This widespread
India but also weakened British highlighted the power of non- influence facilitated a wave of
authority and resolve. violence. This approach played a decolonization, reshaping the
vital role in passing the Civil Rights global political landscape.
Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights
Act of 1965.
NON VIOLENCE
1. Explanation of Ahimsa
; Ahmsa means not hurting or harming others, whether in actions,
words, or thoughts. Gandhi believed in this principle deeply. It's about
showing kindness and respect to all living beings, even those you
disagree with.

2. Nonviolence in India's Independence Struggle

Gandhi used ahimsa to fight against British rule in India. Instead of
fighting back with weapons, he encouraged peaceful protests:
• The Non-Cooperation Movement (1920-1922): Gandhi asked
Indians to stop cooperating with the British government, like
boycotting British-made goods and refusing to attend British-run
schools.
• The Salt March (1930): To protest unfair British taxes on salt,
Gandhi led a long walk to the sea, where he made salt from seawater.
This action showed defiance peacefully.
• The Quit India Movement (1942): Gandhi called for the British to
leave India immediately. Indians all over the country protested
peacefully, despite facing arrests and violence from British
authorities.

Relevance of Gandhian Nonviolence (Ahimsa) in the 20th and 21st

Century
Gandhi's principle of ahimsa remains relevant as a moral compass in
resolving conflicts without resorting to violence. In the 20th century,
leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. applied nonviolence to advance civil
rights in the USA, influencing movements globally. Today, it inspires
peaceful activism worldwide, from environmental protests to social
 TRUTH
• 1. Definition and Significance of Satya
• Satya, or truthfulness, is more than just honesty in
words. It's about aligning thoughts, words, and actions
with what one believes to be true and just. Gandhi viewed
satya as the ultimate moral principle, essential for personal
integrity and social harmony.
• 2. How Gandhi Incorporated Truth into His Life
• Gandhi lived by the principle of satya in both personal
and political realms:
• Personal Integrity: He practiced transparency and
honesty in all aspects of his life, striving to live in
accordance with his beliefs.
• Political Strategy: Gandhi believed in truth as a
powerful force in politics. He used satya to expose
injustice and hypocrisy, challenging oppressive
systems through nonviolent resistance.
• Example: During the Salt March, Gandhi's
commitment to truth was evident. By making salt from
seawater to defy British salt laws, he demonstrated how
truthful action could challenge unjust authority peacefully.
SELF RELIANCE
Definition and Importance of Swaraj
Swaraj, or self-reliance, is about individuals and communities
being independent and self-sufficient. Gandhi believed it was
crucial for personal and national freedom. Swaraj emphasizes
autonomy and the ability to govern oneself without external
control, aligning with Gandhi's vision of empowering
individuals and communities.
2. Gandhi's Vision of Economic Independence and Its
Implications
Gandhi promoted economic self-reliance as a means to
achieve swaraj:
• Local Economy: He encouraged local production and
consumption, advocating for cottage industries and
village-based economies.
• Community Empowerment: Gandhi believed
economic independence would strengthen communities,
reducing dependency on external resources and fostering
self-sufficiency.
• Political Freedom: Swaraj in economics was linked to
political freedom. Gandhi saw economic self-reliance as a
way for India to break free from British colonial rule and
regain control over its resources and destiny.
• Legacy: Today, swaraj inspires movements promoting
sustainable development and local self-governance,
echoing Gandhi's belief in decentralized, community-
based economies as a path to social justice and
resilience.
CIVIL
DISOBEDIENCE
•1. Definition of Civil Disobedience
•Civil disobedience means peacefully refusing to
follow certain laws or rules that are seen as unfair. It's
a way of protesting against injustice without using
violence, aiming to show moral objections to
government actions.
•2. Civil Disobedience During Gandhi's Time and Its
Relevance Today
•Gandhi's Time: Gandhi used civil disobedience to
challenge British laws in India, like the Salt March
against unfair taxes. It was about peacefully
disobeying unjust rules to demand freedom and fair
treatment.
•Today: Civil disobedience remains important.
Movements like the Civil Rights Movement in the
USA and protests for climate action use it to fight for
rights and raise awareness peacefully.
•Impact: It shows that people can stand up against
injustice without violence, influencing laws and
policies for a fairer society. It's a way to fight for
rights and make governments listen to people's
concerns.
 CASE STUDY
Martin Luther King Jr. and the Relevance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s
American Civil Rights Movement Approach to Gandhian Principles
• Martin Luther King Jr. emerged as a pivotal leader during the • Martin Luther King Jr.'s adoption of Gandhian principles,
American Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century. particularly nonviolence (ahimsa) and civil disobedience, was
Facing entrenched racial segregation and discrimination, King instrumental in the success of the American Civil Rights
advocated for equality and justice through nonviolent Movement. By advocating for peaceful protest and moral
resistance. Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of persuasion, King demonstrated the power of nonviolent
nonviolence, King led impactful campaigns such as the resistance in confronting oppression and effecting social
Montgomery Bus Boycott and the Birmingham Campaign. change. His approach emphasized the moral high ground,
These movements aimed to challenge unjust laws and seeking to win over hearts and minds rather than resorting to
practices, highlighting the moral contradictions of violence. King's adherence to Gandhian principles not only
segregation through peaceful protests, marches, and civil inspired subsequent generations of civil rights activists but
disobedience. King's leadership and strategic use of also resonated globally, influencing movements for human
nonviolence mobilized millions across the United States, rights and social justice worldwide. Today, King's legacy
culminating in legislative victories like the Civil Rights Act of underscores the enduring relevance of nonviolent protest as a
1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which aimed to potent force for challenging injustice and advancing the cause
dismantle systemic racism and secure voting rights for African of equality in diverse societal contexts.
Americans.
CONCLUSION
• Conclusion
• Gandhian principles—like nonviolence (ahimsa), civil
disobedience, truth (satya), and self-reliance (swaraj)—
have profoundly influenced movements for justice and
equality in the 20th and 21st centuries. Mahatma Gandhi's
strategies, from India's independence struggle against
British rule to Martin Luther King Jr.'s Civil Rights
Movement in the USA, demonstrate the enduring power of
peaceful protest and moral integrity. These principles
continue to inspire global movements today, addressing
issues from environmental sustainability to human rights,
offering effective pathways for societal transformation
through nonviolent means.
• Bibliography
• Gandhi, Mahatma. Autobiography: The Story of My
Experiments with Truth. Beacon Press, 1993.
• King Jr., Martin Luther. Stride Toward Freedom: The
Montgomery Story. Beacon Press, 2010.
• Roberts, Adam. Civil Resistance and Power Politics:
The Experience of Non-violent Action from Gandhi to the
Present. Oxford University Press, 2009.
• Weber, Thomas. On the Salt March: The
Historiography of Gandhi’s March to Dandi. Roli Books,
2005.