100 years ago today, miss Besant wouldn't have realised that the foundation of what she was going to lay, would transform a whole movement.
Besant's philosophy came at a time when moderates and extremists were beginning to reconcile, people were agitated with their miseries in the World War and the INC and Muslim League decided to unite. Because of Besant's contacts with the Theosophical Society, the Home Rule League attained an all India appeal very quickly. It went on to influence many young men who then became popular leaders of the struggle, including Jitendralal Bannerjee, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohd. Ali Jinnah, Khaliquzzaman, among many others.
Tilak, highly influenced by the idea, set up his own Home Rule League and gave the very famous slogan, 'Swaraj is my birth right'. The movement set the stage for Gandhi's active participation in the Struggle. This period also marks the transition from the moderate phase of Indian politics to the agitational phase.
The movement reached its peak in 1917. The Russian Revolution too played a major role in attracting people to the idea of Home Rule. Ultimately, the British were forced to come up with the Mont-Ford Reforms in 1918, which introduced dyarchy. Franchise was extended, bicameral provincial legislative councils were established, certain subjects like Public Health, Education, Local-self government were transferred, more powers were given to central and provincial legislatures and 3 out of 8 people in Viceroy's executive council were to be Indians.
Although these provisions didn't satisfy Indians and drew a lot of criticism, it was an essential moment in history of administrative structure in India.
Today, we need another Home Rule Movement. As the term suggests, we need to start a movement of reforms from our 'homes'. To start incorporating positive changes in us. Before protesting for change, we ought to change ourselves. We ought to rule ourselves with principles that we wish others to follow. We often underestimate the power of individual action. How does it matter if I alone throw a small wrapper on the street, or ignore an injured person on a highway, or get away with breaking headlights? Not all of them are doing it so does my action really make any difference? Well, if the multiplied result of such actions can be catastrophic then multiplied result of individual virtuous action can be utopic too. Imagine how things would be if every person obeyed the law, spoke the truth, planted a tree and minded his own affairs with sincerity. But one has to start the cycle of good, regardless of what happens around.
It is easy to come out on streets, blame entities and call for change. But that cannot happen unless we ourselves follow it.
This isn't a novel idea. In fact, this is the most elementary lesson we are taught. But ironically, sometimes the simplest things seem to be the most difficult to do. We are so caught in a complex web of vice that being simple and good seems almost divine.
And this is just a matter of beginning.
Besant's philosophy came at a time when moderates and extremists were beginning to reconcile, people were agitated with their miseries in the World War and the INC and Muslim League decided to unite. Because of Besant's contacts with the Theosophical Society, the Home Rule League attained an all India appeal very quickly. It went on to influence many young men who then became popular leaders of the struggle, including Jitendralal Bannerjee, Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohd. Ali Jinnah, Khaliquzzaman, among many others.
Tilak, highly influenced by the idea, set up his own Home Rule League and gave the very famous slogan, 'Swaraj is my birth right'. The movement set the stage for Gandhi's active participation in the Struggle. This period also marks the transition from the moderate phase of Indian politics to the agitational phase.
The movement reached its peak in 1917. The Russian Revolution too played a major role in attracting people to the idea of Home Rule. Ultimately, the British were forced to come up with the Mont-Ford Reforms in 1918, which introduced dyarchy. Franchise was extended, bicameral provincial legislative councils were established, certain subjects like Public Health, Education, Local-self government were transferred, more powers were given to central and provincial legislatures and 3 out of 8 people in Viceroy's executive council were to be Indians.
Although these provisions didn't satisfy Indians and drew a lot of criticism, it was an essential moment in history of administrative structure in India.
Today, we need another Home Rule Movement. As the term suggests, we need to start a movement of reforms from our 'homes'. To start incorporating positive changes in us. Before protesting for change, we ought to change ourselves. We ought to rule ourselves with principles that we wish others to follow. We often underestimate the power of individual action. How does it matter if I alone throw a small wrapper on the street, or ignore an injured person on a highway, or get away with breaking headlights? Not all of them are doing it so does my action really make any difference? Well, if the multiplied result of such actions can be catastrophic then multiplied result of individual virtuous action can be utopic too. Imagine how things would be if every person obeyed the law, spoke the truth, planted a tree and minded his own affairs with sincerity. But one has to start the cycle of good, regardless of what happens around.
It is easy to come out on streets, blame entities and call for change. But that cannot happen unless we ourselves follow it.
This isn't a novel idea. In fact, this is the most elementary lesson we are taught. But ironically, sometimes the simplest things seem to be the most difficult to do. We are so caught in a complex web of vice that being simple and good seems almost divine.
And this is just a matter of beginning.
"if the multiplied result of such actions can be catastrophic then multiplied result of individual virtuous action can be utopic too."
ReplyDeleteBahut achhe!!
"if the multiplied result of such actions can be catastrophic then multiplied result of individual virtuous action can be utopic too."
ReplyDeleteBahut achhe!!