THE GIST of Editorial for UPSC Exams : 08 October 2018 (In Good Faith: Sarvodaya for polarised times)


In Good Faith: Sarvodaya for polarised times


In Good Faith: Sarvodaya for polarised times
Mains Paper: 1 | Society 
Prelims level: Sarvodaya
Mains level: Social empowerment, communalism, regionalism & secularism.

Context

  • In his 150th anniversary year, we ought to recall the words and actions of this great man who will remain an everlasting source of inspiration for the world.
  • Some sections at more unease than others because of their community identities and markers.
  • Today, when communal disharmony and enmities primarily between Hindus and Muslims.
  • It have reached an unprecedented height that we need leaders with a Gandhian moral urgency to address the situation.
  • For Gandhiji, India’s religious and linguistic diversity was an asset, not a liability.

Is this the India of Gandhiji’s dreams?

  • We need to recall how Gandhiji had to deal with the similar issues in his day  most prominently immediately, during and just after Partition.
  • His writings, speeches and actions did much to imbibe the moral ethos of a composite culture in the warring opposing communities.
  • He didn’t allow the majoritarian perception about Islam and Muslims to become a verity.
  • He proceeded to understand Islam and Muslims not through hearsay and tittle-tattle but his own reading of the Quran, the Prophet and Muslims he had lived and grown up with.
  • He approached it with objectivity and sobriety and found Islam essentially to be a religion of peace and the Prophet as a pure soul with pious purpose.
  • It was Gandhiji’s commitment to communal harmony that led him to engage with great freedom fighters like Maulana Mahmood Hasan and Maulana Husain Ahmed Madani.

Conclusion 

  • As a nation, we must assure that our minorities must feel at home.
  • Gandhiji’s ethical concepts and moral universe are capable of dealing with the violent sectarian politics that is being unleashed today.
  • This capital, the biggest Satan of our time, has already destroyed lives in many poorer nations.
  • It constantly puts up “enemies” as a trope to find new sources of profit.
  • Our fight must remain, under all circumstances, non-violent.

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General Studies Pre. Cum Mains Study Materials

UPSC Prelims Questions: 

Q.1) Vallabhai Patel participated in which of the following satyagrahas?
1. Kheda Satyagraha
2. Nagpur Flag Satyagraha
3. Borsad Punitive Tax Satyagraha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer:  D

UPSC Mains Questions:
Q.1) Is this the India of Gandhiji’s dreams?