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The Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad, which is playing host to the centenary celebrations of the book, saw over 70 peace activists congregate from around the world. Some of them had also worked closely with Gandhi's Sarvodaya movement.
The three-day meet has been organised to discuss the areas of agreement, issues that do not find sufficient resonance among the masses, and critical studies of experiments in non-violence based on the philosophy behind Hind Swaraj.
Based on the discussions, the participants hope to chart out action plans as per the philosophy of Hind Swaraj to address problems in the field of activism.
Over the years, Hind Swaraj has been a subject of contention due to Gandhi’s critique of modernism and his pointing out of injustice in development.
Followers like Jorgen Johansen, the former chairperson of War Resistor’s International, Prof Mark Lindlay of Boston University who had been part of the Peace Movement in the US, and Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile Sandhong Rinpoche, firmly believe in the century old writings.
Rinpoche equated the history of India with the present situation of Tibet. He said the Tibet-China situation is just like what it was with
India and Britain. “Tibet can only achieve freedom by replicating the Gandhian model of Satyagrah back in Tibet,” he said. A strong believer in the philosophy of Hind Swaraj, he also thinks that the every word written in the book holds its ground till date.
Jorgen Johansen, the former chairperson of War Resistor’s International, who presently works for promoting peace in 101 countries, said: “While the preaching in Hind Swaraj was limited by the interpreters to the Indian struggle for Independence, in Gandhi's perspective, it was about sustainable and equitable development rather that just freedom. In every country, more number of women are killed by their husbands, or die because of suicides or road accidents rather than in terrorist attacks. Gandhi’s philosophy holds a clear alternative to the use of resources and the present development models.”
Other peace activists present on the occasion were Narayan Desai, ex-chairperson of War Resistors International, thinker and writer Kantibhai Shah, Gandhian scholar Tridip Suhrut, Anand Mazgaonkar of the Sarvodaya Movement, and Prof Lavanam Director of the Atheists centre. As part of the celebrations, various seminars and meets will be organised around the globe by the Peace Research Centre and the Department of Gandhian Studies to spread awareness about his principles among the youth.
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