How Did Gandhi Use His Hindu And Religious Beliefs In A Brilliant Way

“Gandhi was a good man who used his Hindu and religious beliefs in a brilliant way” To what extent do you agree with this statement?

Gandhi was never known as just a bad person. He always had the reputation/view of being either all good – or some good some bad. He was a major asset to the struggle of independence in India. And had inspired many other speeches today. All in all, I think the father of four born in the second of October 1869, Gandhi... was a good man – however has a lot behind the mask that portrays him as the saviour of Independent India.
By far the most important Hindu belief Gandhi used in his protests was the ahimsa. Ahimsa is a tradition originating for Hindu, Buddhist, and the Jainism tradition. It made a lot of sense to Gandhi and clearly to the public. Meaning – ‘respect for all living things and avoidance of violence
towards others.’ Gandhi used this against the British Empire to tell them that all was equal and Indians had rights for their massive country. The belief lead to the action of the British knowing that the Indians/Gandhi clearly wanted rights. And knew that without that freedom, consequences would be made – as had happened further on in the timeline. Some thought this was good as it made the people realize that they were all humans. Everyone was equal – and at the end of the day. No one but God owns the world, however if everyone agreed. It all would’ve ended then and there… which it didn’t.
Another Hindu belief Gandhi used was satyagraha. Satyagraha is a policy of passive political resistance. A passive political resistance is an opposition to another government. However, using 0 violence. With people marching for their protest(s). Gandhi used this belief in action by creating the point that not everything has to involve violence. However, of course it didn’t stop there. The British Empire would abuse any type of Indian protest march there was at the time. To stop Gandhi from going across the country showing his point for independence.

Turning the other cheek is a phrase in the Christian religion that refers to responding to injury without revenge. Gandhi used this to tell his followers that none should be violent and everyone should ignore it. This made the British wonder if their punishments were working against them. However, this wasn’t always obeyed by Gandhi’s followers – as some did respond with violence. I don’t have an opinion on Gandhi’s choice of using this, although he wasn’t a Christian, he strongly liked this idea of responding to evilness. For some people this didn’t go well – some died – some lived with severe injuries. However, in the end it almost felt like it was all worth it, for the alive at least.

With the untouchables scenario – Gandhi made it seem quite clear that everyone was equal and that anyone can do what the untouchables are said to do. Clean toilets, etc. After Gandhi’s wife told him she’s getting an untouchable to clean the toilet, Gandhi reacted in anger and told her to clean it herself. This was good because Gandhi made everyone see that everyone is equal and the untouchables shouldn’t be abused and slaved for; cleaning toilets, bathrooms, foot rests, etc.
Gandhi made Karma a well-known word in his mouth. He used it against people to tell them that anything bad they had done, that God will bite back and punish you for your actions. This did make people think about what they were doing, and made them pretty scared. He also blackmailed people, the Karma was that if bad things happened – he wouldn’t eat (fasting). This belief was good as it made people scared of doing things wrong to other people – making crime rate lower and people pray to God more in fear. However, I do not agree with Gandhi blackmailing his followers.
An eye for an eye is what Gandhi used to his advantage. Relating to Karma, this was a phrase that meant that if a person injured another person they should be hurt in the same degree. For example, if you killed someone – you would be killed too. I think this was a bad thing as all it did was put the population 2x lower than before (if you killed someone). I think this mocks prison and makes it seem useless to a degree.
The untouchables scenario was kind of a hypocritical thing to use from Gandhi. He was once quoted in prison to say that he should not be classed with Natives, he had a very vanity and racist attitude particularly towards South Africans. When he was arrested there he was quoted saying ‘’We were marched off to a prison intended for Kaffirs… We could understand not being classed with Natives seemed too much to put up with. Kaffirs are as a rule uncivilized.’’
Gandhi didn’t mind going to prison – however, I do think if he protested more to get out of jail. Everything would’ve been dealt with much quicker. He spent a lot of time in prison, it’s even where his wife died. And they only let him out in the end due to the fact that he was getting malaria. If Gandhi wasn’t in prison most of the time. I feel like less lives would’ve been lost and he would’ve saved India a little bit quicker than he did.
Gandhi was married for 63 years before his wife died. They were married at 13 (Gandhi) and 14 (Ba).
Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu nationalist; this was linked to him as he practiced Hindu with Jain influences.
Gandhi had smokes marijuana, however, after finding out it was against religion and law; he had quickly stopped.
Gandhi was first an activist in South Africa; later moving to the Indian land where he had become famous for his work and quotes that he had made (check the bottom of the page to see three of his most famous quotes he had made).
Gandhi was very keen on peace in the world. However; he had never won a Nobel Peace Prize, even after all of his works for India. Were they against Gandhi and what he had been doing? Were they racist?
Gandhi’s wife had died in a prison at 77 years old. Whilst Gandhi was still 76 years old. This was a heartbreaking time and reminded people that Gandhi would be next and was very soon to be dead.
Gandhi had fasted five times; all for basically the same reason. To stop his protests due to violence.
Gandhi was known by most as India’s savior; however, clearly not to his assassinator… he was shot three times point blank. And his killer, Nathuram Godse. Was sentenced to death on the 8th November 1949. However, was hanged just exactly a week later on the 15th. In Ambala Prison, East Punjab,
India.
After all of this research my opinion on Gandhi is good. However – I do not like how a lot of what he said about the untouchables and everyone being equal was being mocked by his hypocriticalness around the Natives while he was in prison in South Africa, Kaffirs. Mahatma Gandhi in the end of his journey was assassinated on 30th January 1948 in the compound of Birla House (now Gandhi Smriti), a large mansion in central New Delhi. Gandhi had just climbed up the steps of a raised lawn behind Birla House where he conducted his multi-faith prayer meetings, when he was shot by Godse.