Fallen flower

Yesterday, I took some time out to read a bit about Gandhi. The multiple perspectives one can view the man from was most interesting. History books in school are unequivocal about his integrity, his dedication to the search for Truth, the doctrine of absolute Non-violence which began a run that led to India's Independence and all things good. He is after all the "Father of the Nation."

Truth, non-violence and simplicity, all of which are exemplified by the way Gandhi lived are very important ideals to aspire towards. Inculcating them in our life only makes it better. But Gandhi is not not a man without controversy.

His contribution towards upholding the idea of Truth above all else is overlooked by few who find faults with the way he enforced Non-violence. "Hitler," Gandhi said, "killed five million Jews. It is the greatest crime of our time. But the Jews should have offered themselves to the butcher?s knife. They should have thrown themselves into the sea from cliffs? It would have aroused the world and the people of Germany? As it is they succumbed anyway in their millions."

It is perhaps this idea that often becomes a contentious point. Extreme situations, like in the face of violent threats to one's kin or self can test the strength of this principle. Though Gandhi followed the concept without concession, which is affirmed further by the way he died, many argue, this is not something that can be enforced upon a whole Nation. Even Obama during his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech said, "We will not eradicate violent conflict in our lifetimes. There will be times when nations - acting individually or in concert - will find the use of force not only necessary but morally justified...But I know there is nothing weak - nothing passive - nothing naive in the creed and lives of Gandhi and King."

Apart from ideological differences, there is speculation about Gandhi's totalitarian approach, his support for Nehru as Independent India's first Prime Minister and importantly his perceived dual position on partition. Though he believed in religious unity, his eventual support for Partition brought him under much criticism from both the religious groups. Many consider his imposition of absolute non-violence on an entire nation indirectly responsible for much bloodshed and death even during the Partition.

There are also many who choose to highlight Gandhi's failures as a father, his controversial experiments on abstinence from sex, etc while ignoring his contributions to not just the Nation, but humanity as a whole. The man has been put upon a pedestal and standards used to "judge" him become very high.

And that is what I find interesting. It gives us much insight into the human condition, and specifically the traditional Indian psyche. There is much disillusionment among many who are unable to separate the man from his principles, many who would find it hard to aspire to an abstract set of principles however relevant they may be when the educator appears flawed. We all need people to inspire us, who live the ideals they preach. And when they fail, we crib and complain, we feel anger, much as children who are growing up feel towards their parents when they begin to realize that no one is perfect.

Extreme love followed by equal hate is a condition that plagues so many during the formative years. For some, this continues even into adulthood. One of the major reasons is, as children we aren't always told that each story has two (or multiple, in most cases) sides. The picture we get is often one sided. Instead of facts, opinions are dished out and all the decisions are already made for you. Under influences like these, one tends to develop unreasonable biases. The idea of true compassion is forgotten.

True compassion is not just for the "good" we see in people. Despite what might seem "bad" or unacceptable in our minds, it is important to understand everyone is deserving of compassion. As De Mello quite rightly points out "Compassion is a virtue." Often it takes a lifetime to understand it. Gandhi is only my example to illustrate a point. To understand both his significant contributions and questionable deeds is to show compassion towards him. Which can only be possible when we learn to show compassion towards ourselves.