Gandhian Politics and Religion in Raja Rao's 'Kanthapura'
Gandhi’s mass movement during the freedom struggle aimed solely at arousing a nationalistic consciousness which would help in forming up a unique national identity constructed by uniting the masses. Achieving this is not an easy task considering the diversity in religion, caste, creed, etc. of the nation. In order to bring together those diverse sects under a common roof, Gandhi feels the need for secularism and religious tolerance. He professes his secular notion of religion and incites to the mind of the masses, the oneness of men, negating any sectarian religion and caste and class based divisions. As he observes:
Man’s ultimate aim is the realization of God, and all his activities, political, social and religious, have to be guided by the ultimate aim of the vision of God. The immediate service of all human beings becomes a necessary part of the endeavor simply because the only way to find God is to see Him in His creation and be one with it. This can be done by service of all. And this cannot be done except through one’s country. (Chakrabarti 35)
This aspect of the Gandhian thought had an impact on the creative impetus of the Indian novelists in English.
In this paper I will discuss on how Gandhian blending of politics and religion gives an impact on the minds of the Indian masses, especially of the villagers. Taking instances from Raja Rao’s novel kanthapura, I will seek to show how Gandhian political thoughts and teachings come in the guise of traditional religious terms and how it stirs the innocent and superstitious imaginations of the village folk. Gandhian secularism and spiritual teachings aim to dismantle the rigid social caste based structure, thereby enabling the masses to unite under a common religion, the religion of Truth and Love. The social and political programs of Gandhi converge with the religious aspect of his thought thereby making them appealing to the religious and superstitious Indian masses.
The Gandhian revolution during
Man’s ultimate aim is the realization of God, and all his activities, political, social and religious, have to be guided by the ultimate aim of the vision of God. The immediate service of all human beings becomes a necessary part of the endeavor simply because the only way to find God is to see Him in His creation and be one with it. This can be done by service of all. And this cannot be done except through one’s country. (Chakrabarti 35)
This aspect of the Gandhian thought had an impact on the creative impetus of the Indian novelists in English.
In this paper I will discuss on how Gandhian blending of politics and religion gives an impact on the minds of the Indian masses, especially of the villagers. Taking instances from Raja Rao’s novel kanthapura, I will seek to show how Gandhian political thoughts and teachings come in the guise of traditional religious terms and how it stirs the innocent and superstitious imaginations of the village folk. Gandhian secularism and spiritual teachings aim to dismantle the rigid social caste based structure, thereby enabling the masses to unite under a common religion, the religion of Truth and Love. The social and political programs of Gandhi converge with the religious aspect of his thought thereby making them appealing to the religious and superstitious Indian masses.
The Gandhian revolution during
Cited: Rao, Raja. Kanthapura. Oxford University Press, 1974. Chakrabarti, Mohit. “Society and Religion: Gandhian Cohesion.” Gandhian Religion. New Delhi: Gyan Publishing House. 1994. Bhatnagar, Vinita Dhondiyal. “The Making of a Mahatma: The Construct of Gandhi as a National Icon.” Readings in Indian English Literature: Nation, Culture and Identity. New Delhi: Harman Publishing House, 2001. Jha, Rama. “Raja Rao: Quest for Spiritual Regeneration Through Gandhian Thought.” Gandhian Thought and Indo-Anglian Novelists. Delhi: Chanakya Publications, 1983.