Q.5. Consider the non-cooperation movement of Gandhi from the philosophical point of view.

From a philosophical standpoint, Gandhi’s Non-Cooperation Movement was deeply rooted in his doctrine of Satyagraha, which is a synthesis of the Sanskrit words “Satya” (truth) and “Agraha” (holding firmly to). This philosophy advocates for non-violent resistance as a means of protest and aims to bring about social and political change through the power of truth and non-violent action.

The movement was a manifestation of Gandhi’s belief in ahimsa (non-violence) and swaraj (self-rule). He argued that true swaraj would come not by the acquisition of authority by a few but by the acquisition of the capacity by all to resist authority when it is abused. In this context, the Non-Cooperation Movement was not merely a political strategy but a moral and ethical campaign to resist and protest against injustice and oppression.

Gandhi’s philosophical approach to the movement was also influenced by his interpretation of various religious texts, including the Bhagavad Gita, which he saw as a metaphorical battle between the forces of good and evil. He believed that just as Arjuna was called to fight against injustice, so too must individuals resist evil non-violently.

The Non-Cooperation Movement encouraged Indians to withdraw their support from the British government and institutions, thereby asserting their dignity and power. Gandhi believed that cooperation with evil is as much a duty as cooperation with good. By refusing to participate in the British system, Indians were not only asserting their rights but also practicing their ethical duty to not support an unjust system.

In essence, the Non-Cooperation Movement was a practical application of Gandhi’s philosophical principles. It aimed to empower individuals to realize their own strength and to awaken a collective consciousness about the moral responsibility to oppose injustice through peaceful means. Gandhi’s philosophy during the movement was not about passive resistance; rather, it was an active form of engagement that sought to change the heart and mind of the oppressor, not through force or violence, but through steadfast adherence to the principles of truth and non-violence.