This short essay foregrounds the great
symbolic portent of the fact that 100 years ago the historic
date of September 11, 1906 marked the day of the birth
of the modern satyagraha, with Gandhi as its prime instigator.
In tracing the historical-cultural genealogy of this concept,
the impact that Gandhi exercised on the global media from
1906 until 1948 is highlighted. Thereby an attempt is also
made to underscore his continued relevance in grappling
with contemporary problems, with a view to provide viable
solutions for the future.
It is indeed of great symbolic portent
that just over a 100 years ago, the historic date of September
11, 1906 marked the day of the birth of modern satyagraha (with
Gandhi as the prime instigator), which gave hope for breaking
the vicious cycle of economic, political and cultural violence
in the heyday of imperialism by appealing, through nonviolent
means, to the force of moral conscience. Gandhi's ultimate
goal was to empower the politically disadvantaged and bring
unity among people and understanding between the rulers
and the ruled in a global context.
Could it then be that by a twist of historical
fate, not one but two 9/11s, set apart by almost a century
reveal the ultimate choice of modern times? Representing
the contrary turns of history, September 11, 2001 (9/11)
and September 11, 1906 (9/11/1906) stand face-to-face in
diametrical opposition both challenging each other. On
the one hand, the older 9/11/1906 tells the story of the
deliverance from fear, hatred and aggression, rather than
surrender to it, and constitutes a liberating and democratic
vision. On the other hand, 9/11 sanctions the cycle of
violence and counter-violence creating insecurity and newer
forms of authoritarian power, corroding the very foundations
of true democracy, namely justice and freedom.
To concretely visualize this diametric
opposition, I have juxtaposed the traumatically familiar
photo of the twin towers exploding (Exhibit 1 taken from
the front cover of the international weekly The Economist,
dated September 8, 2006, which commemorated the fifth anniversary
of this tragic event) with historic quotation (to the right)
from Gilbert Murray, a renowned British intellectual summing
up in 1918 the significance of Gandhi's satyagraha campaign
in South Africa, as perceived by politically and ethically
sensitive contemporary individuals. |
