Gandhi's Vision for a Constitution: Non-Violence as the Bedrock

Gandhi believed that non-violence could be the fundamental philosophy for nationhood and the basis for a constitution. He questioned the idea of modern nationhood, which emphasized the ability to raise an army and exercise violence as a sovereign right. Gandhi's concept of non-violence went beyond being a means to overthrow aggressors, extending to how a nation could be built. His vision involved a decentralized structure, with power residing at the grassroots level. The village Panchayat was the most fundamental unit of government, and the structure expanded upwards, with limited federal institutions. The aim was to diffuse power and prevent the concentration of authority and resources. In this model, invasion would be impractical, as power, economy, and industry were spread throughout the country. Gandhi's vision provided an alternative to a strong central government and emphasized the importance of local self-governance.