Module 2, Week 2 – Gandhi the Movie

Watching the movie, “Gandhi”, I noticed some obvious examples of obstructive programme including when he continued the burning of the ID passes for Indians in South Africa, continuing to walk on the sidewalk (along side a ‘white’man) and not step off when those young men insisted, the burning of cloth and clothing made in England, the making of salt at the sea, even his fasts would qualify under this category. Of course, he advocated constructive programme as being more important than obstructive. Some of these instances from the film include the spinning of yarn and making and wearing of homespun garments, making salt (once again), insisting on treating and being treated with dignity ( when he was told that he had been warned, his reply was that the other had also been warned) and when he insisted that a place at the table be set for Mr. Walker’s driver. Many of Gandhi’s words in the film were examples of heart unity and being exhorted to be engaged in it. He called for Hindu-Muslim unity, to remove “untouchability from our hearts and our lives”. He recalled when he was younger that the religious leader he followed “moved from the Hindu Gita to the Muslim Koran as if it didn’t matter which book was being read as long as God was being worshipped”. Again he said, “I am a Muslim, a Hindu, a Jew and a Christian and so are all of you” as he was being driven away in the car from his ashram. Even his fast was a show of heart unity since he undertook one of them to show penance for the murder of the policemen during the Hindu-Muslim rioting. The most striking example to me of satyagraha (“truth force”) was when he was giving that first speech to a gathering in the auditorium and spoke about how they would attack no one…how they cannot take away their self respect unless they give it to them…how their pain will make the oppressors see the injustice of their actions…and finally how if they kill him “they will have my dead body, but not my obedience”. Very powerful words exploding with the truth. That speech always raises the hair on my arms!

Watching this film is always a powerful experience for me. Attenborough selected some of the most salient events in Gandhi’s long, influential life. I am grateful for this
creative “snapshot”, because who could ever document all of the important things in this man’s life?
Jean

Seeing the movie about Gandhi’s life for the first time was incredibly powerful, moving, and uplifting; to see someone with such a profound sense and commitment to truth and nonviolence and to know that this man existed and carried out his actions and words is encouraging and beautiful for me. As I was sitting watching the movie, I started thinking how incredibly blessed I feel to have the chance to learn from such a man, to be in this program, and to be on my nonviolence journey. There were many quotes from the movie that stuck with me, here are a few (Sorry if I misquoted some!):
-“Enemy strikes you on the right cheek, offer the left”
-“I am prepared to die, not prepared to kill or attack anyone.” -Gandhi
-“They can torture my body, break my bones and they will have my broken dead body, but they will not have my obedience.” -Gandhi
“Terrorism would only justify repression.” -Gandhi
-“Change their minds, not kill them for the weakness we all possess” -Gandhi
– They day of prayer and fasting on the anniversary of the massacre; shut down the city since all were civil workers
-“England has power, army, navy, weapons but when a great power like that strikes defenseless people, it shows their brutality, its own weakness, especially when those people don’t strike back.”
-“If we riot, if we fight back, we become vandals, and they become the law; but if they strike, they become the vandals and we become the law.”
-“Violence creates an excuse for more injustice laws.” -Gandhi
-“If we obtain freedom by bloodshed and murder, I want no part of that.”-Gandhi

Hello! This was my second time watching this movie, but now that I’ve learned more about Gandhi’s life, I definitely picked up some “nonviolence moments’ in the film. It is a powerful presentation of his life and commitment, and I appreciate that such a resource is there for us to enjoy.

Having read about half of the book “Gandhi the Man,” I do agree with Prof. Nagler that the movie has some limitations. Like he said, just by watching the movie people would not know where his ideas came from, his spiritual foundation. Also, it would have been nice to show that inner transformation he had to go through himself from being an unsuccessful lawyer to Mahatma. Of course, one film cannot cover everything – but it is easy to just see Gandhi as saint or someone so far away from each one of us if we just see his perfections.

One thing that I think the movie did do somewhat of a good job was how he was able to impact his “opponents” – police, those in favor of using violence against Muslims etc through his integrity and character. Another aspect that I liked was the description of deep relationships he had with his closest supporters, especially Nehru. The bonds between them, and how Nehru adored Gandhi and wanted to put Gandhi’s mind at peace was really touching.

Like John said, I am also thinking how the “success” of Gandhi’s efforts can be evaluated given the civil conflict that was brought out after the separation of India and Pakistan. Perhaps in light of bringing independence from the British it was a success, and both Hindus and Muslims had a common goal in that regard, which would have facilitated the success. The issue became when their interests were at conflict. People may have stopped using violence when Gandhi fasted, but maybe for some it was just because they cared about Gandhi (behavior only) and not because they truly changed the they viewed each other. I also wonder if the relationships between two parties also impacted people’s use of violence (i.e. India was oppressed by the British ruling, while after independence India and Pakistan were in a sense at equal standing).

On a side note, I came across with this posting: http://www.smileosmile.com/celebrities/why-i-killed-gandhi-nathuram-godses-final-address-to-the-court/. Not sure how accurate this is, but if this was true statement made by Godse, it is very interesting. At the least, I can see that in his eyes Gandhi looked as a threat to his nation’s best interest. Thought I’d share.