Question

discuss Mahatma Gandhi's idea of communal unity in the context of democratic system in India within 1500 words​

Answer 1

Answer:

In our series on Gandhian philosophy, today we bring you a report on Gandhiji's views on communal harmony and religious tolerance. Mahatma Gandhi was a great proponent of Communal unity. He firmly believed that all religions teach men to be good and peaceful and that intolerance is the religion of the negative. The Father of the Nation said that the essence of true religious teaching is that one should serve and befriend all.

Mahatma Gandhi was a champion of communal harmony and wanted all Indians, be they of any religion, to unite against the colonial government. Gandhiji saw an inviolable harmony existing in all creation enshrined in all religions, and it was this principle that led him to accord equal respect to all faiths. He stressed upon universal peace, brotherhood, and reverence for all life. Mahatma Gandhi said, the final goal of all religions is to realise this essential oneness.

Gandhi felt the need of community unity during his stay in South Africa. The principal question before him was harmony between Hindus and Muslims who inhabited this country. Gandhi felt that if Hindu-Muslim unity was established, unity with other communities which were already there, could easily be strengthened. He never found serious differences between the Hindus and Muslims and other minority communities like the Christians and the Sikhs, not to speak of the small community of Parsis. Naturally, therefore, he turned to the question of Hindu-Muslim unity. He insisted that the Hindus who are in a majority in the country should help the Muslims and should never entertain any idea of enforcing their rights but try to win the hearts of the minority community. He expressed:

"I am striving to become the best cement between the two communities. My longing is to be able to cement the two with my blood, if necessary. There is nothing in either religion to keep the two communities apart. In nature there is a fundamental unity running through all the diversity. Religions are no exception to the natural law. They are given to mankind so as to accelerate the process of realization of fundamental unity. The need of the moment is not an establishment of a Universal religion but there is a greater need to develop mutual respect towards the different religions."

The basic principle, Truth, inspired all his thought and action. It was the realization that an inviolable harmony exists in all creation and any violation of that harmony would create disaster. He saw this principle enshrined in all religions, which led him to accord equal respect to all faiths. Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam of the Vedic tradition to him was no different from the Quranic belief that Allah the Beneficent and Merciful was the creator of all that we see and hear about and that He would dispense justice on the basis of deeds and not the professed faith of each person. Nor was it different from the Christian faith that God's love and benediction was for all without any distinction and so on. All religions insist on equality of human race and on developing a harmonious relationship with the entirety of creation. Any violation of the principle of equality gives way to conflict and violation.

Answer 2

Mahatma Gandhi was a great supporter of communal unity.

• Gandhiji was persuaded that all religions teach men to be moral and happy, and that intolerance is a negative religion.
• The essence of true religious teaching, according to the Father of the Country, was to serve and befriend others.
• He advocated for communal unification and wished regardless of caste, citizens to band together against the colonial government. He never noticed significant disparities between Hindus and Muslims, as well as other minority groups like Christians, Sikhs, and Parsis.
• He saw an inviolable unity in all of life, which was enshrined in all religions, and it was this idea that led him to treat all faiths equally.
• He emphasized universal harmony, fellowship, and respect for all living things. According to him, all religions' ultimate aim is to realize this fundamental oneness.