Gandhiji’s vision on clean India relevant even today
About 100 years ago, during the foundation ceremony of Banaras Hindu University, Gandhiji gave his first public address in India on February 6, 1916. He exhorted the countrymen to be morally, mentally and physically clean and fit.
He mentioned about the dirty condition of the lanes of Banaras, particularly, at the heart of the sacred town— Vishwanath t emple. T he theme of his talk was two-fold: Cleanliness and a sharp divide between the rich and poor.
Actually, Gandhiji had raised three fundamental issues: A more rational attitude towards our way of life, the sharp inequalities among different sectors of our society, and the arrogance of officers.
Citing the example of Kashi Vishwanath, the holiest temple in the holiest city, he called for ‘cleanliness’. “Why was it so filthy? If we were incapable of maintaining even our places of worship, how could we justify our claim for a self-rule?” he had questioned.
Gandhiji’s speech represents an act of courage which had no parallel at the time when he had little influence or power in his homeland.
He made direct and scathing criticisms of wealthy princes, important officials and the guardians of religious orthodoxy.
In India’s holiest city, during the function inaugurated by the viceroy and patronised by his leading collaborators, Gandhiji proclaimed his vision to transform the destiny of his country through truthfulness and nonviolence.
On February 4, 1916, Lord Hardinge laid the foundation stone of the university. From February 5 to 8, a series of lectures by a galaxy of eminent people were planned by Malaviyaji.
These lectures were delivered at the Central Hindu College. The speakers included Gandhiji, Mrs Annie Besant, JC Bose, PC Ray, CV Raman, Sam Higginbottom, Harold Mann, Kaviraj G. Sen, P. Geddes among others.
Gandhiji aptly named Malaviyaji as ‘Devata Purush’ (a man of God). Malaviyaji firmly believed that the country could gain strength and develop itself only when people from different communities in India live in mutual goodwill and harmony.
Gandhiji had returned from South Africa in January 1915. On his way, he met his mentor Gopal Krishna Gokhale in London.
Gokhale advised him to observe silence for one year and shun from any public speeches on Indian politics. During this period, Gandhiji travelled widely and interacted with his countrymen.
Malaviyaji invited Gandhiji to the BHU foundation ceremony. Gandhiji had already been to the Kashi Vishwanath temple in 1902.
At that time too, he was pained to see its dirty condition noting, “Where one expected an atmosphere of meditation and communion, it was conspicuous by its absence.”
Gandhiji’s third visit to Banaras was in February 1920, when he spent six days in Malaviyaji’s house where he prepared the first draft on the horrors of the Martial Law Administration and the impact of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
Gandhiji was back in Banaras towards the end of 1920, seeking volunteers for the non-cooperation movement. Kashi Vidyapith (now Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith) was inaugurated by Gandhiji during this movement of the freedom struggle on the auspicious occasion of Basant Panchami on February 10, 1921.
Gandhiji’s longest visit to Banaras was in July-August 1934, when he spent a whole week in the city. He was deeply disturbed on the menace of untouchability, and gave two speeches on successive days describing the practice of untouchability as “a blot on Hinduism.”
Gandhiji came to Banaras in January 1942 to deliver the BHU’s convocation address at the silver jubilee year of the university.
Gandhiji’s speech at Varanasi had five striking features: 1) the importance of cleanliness, 2) the importance of the mother tongue, 3) the divide between the rich and poor, 4) the need for Hindu-Muslim harmony and 5) the end of untouchability/ discrimination.
In conclusion, Gandhiji’s first public speech at BHU’s foundation ceremony is as relevant today as it was then about 100 years ago.