A seminar on ‘Rightful place of satyagraha in today’s democracy’, organised by Community Aid and Sponsorship Program (CASP) recently had this thought emerge.
It is necessary for us to ponder over whether staging a satyagraha can have impact in a democracy like India where people are indifferent to faulty government policies, said social activist Bhai Vaidya.
He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Rightful place of satyagraha in
today’s democracy’, organised by Community Aid and Sponsorship Program (CASP) recently in the city.
Gandhian Shobhana Ranade; former Union cabinet secretary, BG Deshmukh; city businessman and philanthropist, Abhay Firodia; and human rights lawyer, Asim Sarode; were also present along with Casp trustee and president emeritus, Sharadchandra Gokhale.
“Voting once in five years cannot become our sole duty as several
oppressions like farmers’ suicides and taking away land for special economic zones are taking place within the framework of the current democracy. People have to raise their voices against such oppressions,” said Vaidya.
He warned against the easy route to change taken by the Maoists. “The citizens should resist but they should not resort to violent means,” he said, giving the example of the extraordinary spirit shown by the Japanese after the recent earthquake.
Ranade said satyagraha could achieve the desired goal if it was based purely on truth and courage.
Firodia said, “Earlier, the power was concentrated in the hands of kings, whereas today’s leaders are involved in concentrating power in their own hands to impose their will on common people.”
He spoke about Mahatma Gandhi's role in the satyagraha movement.
Advocate Asim Sarode said, “Satyagraha is a science which must be followed with its own set of rules. One cannot hold ill-feelings even against an enemy while organising a satyagraha”.
He spoke about the need to curb desires of personal glory while pursuing a social goal like satyagraha.
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