What to question, and what to accept

"My unconventionality I carry to the point of rejecting the divinity of the oldest Shastras if they cannot convince my reason. But I have found by experience that, if I wish to live in society and retain my independence, I must limit the points of utter independence to matters of first-rate importance. In all others which do not involve a departure from one's personal religion or moral code, one must yield to the majority." (YI, 14-7-1920, p4) - Gandhiji

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1Kongara Gangadhara Rao

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Adharshila Learning Centre The practicalities of politics ? Just wondering what prompted him to say this.

Manage

3y · 

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Aparna Krishnan Which comment? 
1. That the shastras need to be tested on the touchstone of reason and justice and humanity he deeply beleived in. 
2. That in a society there are customs, and those define the identity of that society. Those which are wrong and need to be discarded need to be fought against to death even. Others one lives by.

Manage

1m · Edited · 

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Aparna Krishnan I find both very valid - taken is utter simplicity, and not loaded with communal and other constructs.

Manage

3m · Edited · 

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Adharshila Learning Centre ..I have found by experience...one must yield to majority. Asked without any prejudice

Manage

3y · 

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Aparna Krishnan I think this was meant in the sense I have understood it. 

If my village community beleives that sleeveless clothes and shorts are not reasonable, i will (and have) gone with that. Not that shorts were ever my dress code - but I did move to sarees overnight, to adapt of the local code. 

But If the community of Malas (a sent of Dalits) feel thay are superior to the Madigas (another sect of Dalits) I have not gone with it. So one yeilds to the majority opinion in matters of simple customs - and questions those issues which need to be questioned.

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Aparna Krishnan And one accepts majority practices not 'just for peace'. But because the identity of a community is in the warp and weft of practices and customs and beleifs. And the self identity of a community is so important.

Manage

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