Vijeta's Reviews > Hind Swaraj and Other Writings
Hind Swaraj and Other Writings
by
by

Written in Dialogue form, Hind Swaraj is very easy to read. It embodies Gandhi's philosophy, his belief in non-violence and passive resistance. Gandhi's view of life is very ascetic and although I've had great admiration for the way he led the national struggle for independence, I can't say I agree with all that he believes. Gandhi was a master strategist and an extremist to the core. His idea of non-violence and passive resistance is not cowardly as is popularly believed but requires a strength of will not easily possessed by all. His vociferous rejection of machinery, railways, the medical profession, and courts of law I find a little simplistic. I understand the reasoning behind denouncing machinery as detrimental to Civilisation, of medicine and the immoral practices involved in devising various life-enhancing drugs, of lawyers and their lies, but I think this denunciation is rather extreme and does not take into account the merits of these developments. His views on peaceful co-existence and Hindu-Muslim unity are still relevant. On the whole, I'd say the book is still applicable if an examination of government and society today is to be made. It raises questions that have resonance for the present times as well, especially in Gandhi's staunch endorsement of realising the core of our religion sans the religious teachers, and also understanding the significance of the ancient Indian Civilisation.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
Hind Swaraj and Other Writings.
Sign In »