Grand Tamasha Ramachandra Guha Revisits India After Gandhi
Apr 19, 2023
Ramachandra Guha, one of India's most celebrated historians, revisits his landmark book 'India After Gandhi.' He discusses Gandhi's complex legacy in the context of contemporary India, particularly the BJP's ambivalence towards his ideals. Guha highlights significant omissions in history textbooks and the rise of majoritarianism. He also examines the erosion of democratic institutions and media freedom, detailing how elite complicity affects governance. Lastly, he advocates for a deeper exploration of India's post-independence history, urging scholars to investigate overlooked themes.
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Two Faces of Gandhi's Legacy
- Narendra Modi uses Gandhi's legacy strategically abroad but downplays it domestically, especially Gandhi's Hindu-Muslim unity ideals.
- The BJP's roots in RSS ideology oppose Gandhi's inclusive philosophy, leading to ambivalence and hostility toward Gandhi internally.
Textbook Alterations on Gandhi
- New NCERT textbooks omit mention of Gandhi's efforts toward Hindu-Muslim unity and RSS's ban after his assassination.
- This book censorship rewrites history, reflecting a Hindu majoritarian narrative under the current Indian government.
How "India After Gandhi" Began
- Ramachandra Guha was prompted to write "India After Gandhi" after a UK publisher saw a market gap and approached him.
- His timing at mid-40s was ideal for tackling this vast and complex history.
