I fail to find how the govt deceived its people. If gandhi said (I read the young India article) that "it be better for us to take to arms to defend when threatened, but would rather have nonv violence", I dont see how Dsouza feels deceived by printing only the first part of the statement. The second part of the statement does not contradict the first one, does it? And the second one is just saying what gandhi would rahter do in a ideal world. We are not living in a Ideal world, are we? And moreover Gandhi was not into making self contradicting statements that too one after the other. But thats not the point, The argument made by Dilip is flawed in that he seems to argue that the second part of the statement contradicts the first one, which it clearly doesn't and is there for everybody to see. If only Dilip Dsouza, instead of indulging in Hindu bashing and took a step back into reading what he had written and understand the actual sentences, This rediff article wouldnt have been written and neither printed and nor would I have replied. What a waste of time and energy, Dilip!
How does the statement used "I would rather have India resort to arms" in any way be used to undermine Gandhi ? Doesn't author understand the meaning of "rather" in that statement ? Is it just because the I&B is part of the govt, which is BJP, that is causing the author to see pink, oops, -- saffron, double oops -- red ?
Secondly, it is high time that Gandhi's ideals were allowed to be cremated peacefully, these principles don't work in today's world. Nations respect nations that are economically and financially powerful, not some dim-wit national outlook that espouses non-violence and peace on earth. It is high time that India did even more to empower itself, and more importantly take hard decisions and if necessary, make it clear to puny countries surrounding it that no more nonsensical behaviour will be accepted from their end.
To simply say that we are a peaceful (yet powerful) nation invites contempt and war on a nation. It is a pity that pinkos don't recognize this fact yet.
The government- by selectively publishing that quote - was actually taking a leaf out the mahatma's book. Once when mahatma was travelling in a train in south africa a group of white men handed him a paper full of racist remarks and asked him what he thought of that. the mahatma just took the pin holding the papers and threw the bunch of papers out. He explained his action to the puzzled men that he just took what was useful to him and rejected the rubbish. Ironically the govt was doing the same. It took whatever was useful to spread its ideology from the mahatma's article and dumped the rest!!!
thank god for a change the author decided to talk with some good research behind him. else he is only interested in hindu bashing for anything and everything. I am surprised he can write sanely too . regards sashi.
Dear Dilip, If you read Gandhi's statement little more carefully, you will see two contradictory opinions emerging. One in favour of violance and one against. Now, no one denies that his preference was for non violance. But those who believe that non violance is the ultimate weapon which will conquer all the oppnents are living in fools' paradise. There are plenty of "non evolved, sub human" species who do not have concept of non-violance and they can not comprehend an appropriate response if the opponent is using nonviolant methods to oppose them (Saddam Hussain is a case in point). There are plenty who would agree with me that the most effective course to use against such people is to use violance. Also, when it comes to topics like national security (which involves security of the whole nation, in case if you don't know) we can not stick to principle of non-violance to defend the whole nation. And if you see something wrong in I&B ministry quoting Gandhi selectively, you have to blame your own tribe which has elevated that to an art form. Almost all the journalists and op-ed writers do it all the time religiously. At least the quote is not fabricated, like some journalists do.
