Kolkata: “The most dangerous thing happening in India today is the disregard for Gandhian ideology in society,” said Tushar Arun Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. “While the political class had disowned it long ago, today, the people themselves are doing the same.”
In an engaging conversation on eNewsroom Podcast – Olive Talks, Tushar Gandhi spoke candidly about how he continues to follow Bapu’s teachings in his personal life, and why Gandhi’s vision remains the moral compass India urgently needs. He acknowledged that it’s almost impossible for anyone—whether a leader or a common citizen—to live by all of Gandhiji’s principles. But even if one tries to imbibe a few of them, he said, “it will be a big thing.”
Reflecting on India’s 78 years of independence, Tushar Gandhi observed that there have been only a few moments when Gandhian ideals were truly visible in public movements. “The JP movement, the farmers’ agitation, the CAA-NRC protests, and now Sonam Wangchuk’s peaceful struggle in Ladakh—these are examples that remind us of Gandhi’s Satyagraha spirit,” he said. He also credited Rajiv Gandhi’s implementation of Panchayati Raj as one of the rare times when Gandhiji’s dream of grassroots democracy was realized in policy.
Tushar Gandhi lamented that in today’s political landscape, Gandhi’s ideology has been completely erased, though his photos continue to adorn government offices and public events. “Rahul Gandhi, to some extent, aligns with Gandhi’s thought,” he remarked. “But our Prime Minister, who bows before Gandhi statues across the world, stays silent when his own partymen abuse Bapu.”
He expressed deep concern over the prevailing “bulldozer justice system,” calling it a direct assault on Gandhi’s idea of India. “What we see today—where power is celebrated and dissent is crushed—is the antithesis of what Bapu stood for,” he said.
The Gandhian scion believes that the ultimate hope lies in India’s youth. “If today’s generation can internalize the ideals of Bhagat Singh, Ambedkar, and Gandhi together, they can take India forward,” he asserted.
Listen to the full conversation on eNewsroom Podcast – Olive Talks with Tushar Gandhi, where he delves deep into Gandhi’s dream of India, the erosion of his values, and why reclaiming them is crucial for the nation’s future.
