Gandhiji and Capitalism

15 July 2015 at 20:17 · 

From another thread,

"Gandhi compromised on his anarchism and was a pawn in the hands of the capitalists who funded him."
Kannan Thandapani Gandhi did use the industrialists - Birla, Tata, Bajaj have all hosted him or funded his initiatives at some point of time. But that certainly is no indicator that the industrialists used him. He had no qualms about taking money from the poorest to the richest...he has probably taken more from the poor than the rich. I think his genuine belief in Trusteeship allowed him to be at peace with the capitalists (or anyone for that matter).

"I am not ashamed to own that many capitalists are friendly towards me and do not fear me. They know that I desire to end capitalism, almost, if not quite, as much as the most advanced Socialist or even Communist. But our methods differ, our languages differ. My theory of trusteeship is no make-shift, certainly no camouflage. I am confident that it will survive all other theories. It has the sanction of philosophy and religion behind it. . . .No other theory is compatible with non-violence.

Harijan, 16-12-1939, p. 376"

"Bapu counted Tatas, Birlas and Bajajs and many more rich Indians as his friends and patrons. Bapu accepted their benevolence, even their hospitality.

When workers in Birla’s Jute mills went on strike for better working conditions and wages Bapu sided with the workers. Although mill owners had come to his rescue when he ran out of funds for Kochrab Ashram, when textile mill workers in Ahmedabad went on strike, Bapu stood shoulder to shoulder with them.

When Jamnalal Bajaj wanted to expand and had decided to start one more factory he went to seek Bapu’s blessings. Bapu told him to be satisfied with what he had and not hanker for more. This was the relationship Bapu had with his industrialist friends."

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  Aparna Krishnan

  And heroes and heroines of modern India, neither capable nor desirous of reaching 1℅ of his integrity, courage and sacrifice, are establishing themselves as writers and revolutionaries by trying to prove that he was a 'pawn of the capitalists'.

  

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• Prakhar Prakash

  When in 10 - 15 years, temperatures will soar to 55C, we will be forced to remember his message

  

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  Aparna Krishnan

  And then, when it's too late, let's question those mahatmas whose agenda is to prove Gandhi was not a Mahatma, the title that Tagore gave him.

  Let's ask them to answer for their contribution in burying his messages, his teachings which could have still saved the Earth. Simply to prove their own glittering intellectual poweress.