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

India's political summer is witnessing impulsive governance, bulldozer crackdowns, and inflammatory rhetoric symbolised by "cockroaches." From hurried populism to selective demolitions and anti-minori
apicture Julian S Das
25 May 2026
India's discomfort with a Norwegian cartoon and European questions about press freedom expose the erosion of democratic accountability. The issue is not foreign criticism, but a leadership culture tha
apicture A. J. Philip
25 May 2026
Amid the BJP's growing dominance and the weakening of opposition forces, Kerala's UDF victory under VD Satheesan offers Congress a rare chance to build a secular, employment-driven governance model ro
apicture Jacob Peenikaparambil
25 May 2026
In his message for World Communications Day, Pope Leo XIV urges communicators to preserve human voices and faces amid AI's growing influence. He warns against technological dehumanisation and challeng
apicture Cedric Prakash
25 May 2026
Strikes and protests are vital democratic tools in India, but the Mahila Morcha's KSRTC protest before Kerala's new government assumed office was marked by legal ignorance and political theatrics. Ele
apicture Jijo Thomas Placheril
25 May 2026
Punjab's new sacrilege law, introduced by the Bhagwant Mann government, creates sweeping non-bailable offences that could intimidate converts, minorities, scholars, and ordinary citizens while deepeni
apicture John Dayal
25 May 2026
If the Chandala, i.e., untouchable, hears the Veda, then molten lead must be poured into his ears; if he recites the Veda, then his tongue should be cut off; if he memorises Veda, then his body must b
apicture Dr Suryaraju Mattimalla
25 May 2026
Donald Trump went to Beijing like a wounded soldier, seeking attention and assistance after his Iran misadventure, and returned almost empty-handed after what seemed an eager shopping expedition. He c
apicture Thomas Menamparampil
25 May 2026
For the first time in years, the cockroaches may actually seem like a refreshing change from the polished hypocrites and well-dressed impostors who have crawled through our political system pretending
apicture Robert Clements
25 May 2026
VD Satheesan emerges as a leader shaped by accessibility, intellect, and democratic openness rather than authoritarianism. His rise reflects Kerala's desire for generational change, responsive governa
apicture A. J. Philip
18 May 2026