Modi's Misguided Claims and Gandhi's Enduring Legacy

Fr. Gaurav Nair Fr. Gaurav Nair
03 Jun 2024

Modi's outlandish assertions have been making headlines and eliciting waves of disbelief for some time now. His most recent claim was that MK Gandhi was an obscure figure until the 1982 Richard Attenborough biographical masterpiece. It's truly staggering that a student of 'Entire Political Science' could be oblivious to Gandhi's global influence. It's also worth noting that he's now expressing support for Gandhi, a stark contrast to his party ancestor, Nathuram Godse, who assassinated Gandhi. Some may argue that there's a method to his madness. But could it be that madness is the method instead?

It is well-known that Gandhi inspired many leading figures. Martin Luther, Nelson Mandela, and Albert Einstein, among others, acknowledged the greatness of his non-violent philosophy. There is ample proof of this in historical archives and conspicuous statues bearing his characteristic features peppered worldwide, originating long before his namesake movie. Since the 2024 elections began, Modi and his chums have been making ridiculous remarks. These seem more akin to gimmicks to keep the opposition preoccupied with refuting his words rather than doing anything productive.

At this point, expecting anything logical or substantial from the PM's mouth is insensible. As if in tandem with him, most media outlets and efforts are focused on supporting or digging up proof to rebut his theory as if doing so is worthwhile. As the final phase of the elections ends and the results are declared on June 4, it will become clear how far these antics have helped the BJP.

Many experts speculate that Modi will secure a third term, although it may not be as triumphant as he hopes. Whether his dream of 400 paar ever materializes remains to be seen. However, the opposition has a challenging task ahead. Based on a thorough examination of governance, or rather the lack thereof, citizens can hardly expect 'Guarantees' to be fulfilled. To stay relevant, Rahul and Co. must confront the government, its actions, and policies, rather than simply responding to the BJP's attempts to boost their ratings. If they come to power, they must then rectify all the injustices that have been inflicted upon the nation and its people.

Inadvertently, Modiji may have just reminded us of the tactics that need to be employed. The persistent use of non-violent protest by Gandhi needs to be resurrected if we are to liberate our country from its current state. The British may have departed long ago, and India may have made significant strides (the facts may be contrarian for Modi bhakts); we have yet to overcome our past, narrow-mindedness and gullibility in the name of religion and caste. Let us once again recall and revive the profound legacy that Gandhiji left behind.

Recent Posts

The Iranian war is a story of how greed, nations, leaders and alliances shape global conflict. A troubling question is also raised simultaneously: has India's once-independent foreign policy been repl
apicture A. J. Philip
09 Mar 2026
The 2026 Budget Session erupted as Rahul Gandhi was repeatedly blocked from citing MM Naravane's memoir, triggering suspensions and a no-confidence move against Om Birla. Gandhi accused Narendra Modi
apicture G Ramachandram
09 Mar 2026
Across India, ordinary citizens are pushing back against the rising hate speech and discrimination, defending minorities and upholding constitutional values. From solidarity protests to everyday acts
apicture Jacob Peenikaparambil
09 Mar 2026
Civil marriages under the Special Marriage Act once enabled interfaith and intercaste unions beyond religious barriers. New proposals like Gujarat's parental consent rule threaten adult autonomy, rais
apicture John Dayal
09 Mar 2026
The Supreme Court swiftly acted when a textbook questioned the judiciary. But what about broader NCERT revisions aimed at reshaping history and civic understanding? As ideological edits accumulate, a
apicture Oliver D'Souza
09 Mar 2026
India's empowerment narrative celebrates only "professional" success while overlooking the unpaid labour of millions of homemakers, who sustain families and the economy. Recognising domestic work as r
apicture Jaswant Kaur
09 Mar 2026
The Allahabad High Court reaffirmed that caste is determined by birth and remains unchanged by conversion or marriage. The ruling revives the larger constitutional debate: if caste persists after conv
apicture Jessy Kurian
09 Mar 2026
Your third stage Is discrimination, The tightening of rules Around the necks of the Dalit castes.
apicture Dr Suryaraju Mattimalla
09 Mar 2026
The tragic accident involving Sahil Dhaneshra, a 23-year-old youth brimming with promise, a wall adorned with medals, and the inconsolable anguish of a mother, has shaken the nation and compelled us t
apicture Richa Walia
09 Mar 2026
Indian men are extremely safety-conscious. We are so concerned about women's safety that we have decided the safest place for them is inside a cage designed entirely by us.
apicture Robert Clements
09 Mar 2026