Gandhi Jayanti 2025: 10 Fascinating Facts About the Mahatma That Prove His Genius (And Why Some Critics Are Missing the Point)Mahatma That’ll Blow Your Mind
The Salt March Masterstroke: In 1930, Gandhi led a 240-mile march to Dandi, defying Britain’s salt tax by picking up a pinch of sea salt. At 60, he outwalked younger followers, sparking a nationwide defiance that shook the British Empire without a single shot fired.
Global Icon Status: Gandhi’s non-violence inspired giants like Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. Albert Einstein called him “a beacon for humanity.” The UN made October 2 the International Day of Non-Violence in 2007, proving his ideas transcend borders.
Khadi Revolutionary: Gandhi swapped his lawyer suits for handwoven khadi to stand with India’s poor, launching the Swadeshi movement. His spinning wheel crippled British textile profits and became a symbol of self-reliance.
Prison Prodigy: Gandhi spent nearly six years (2,089 days) in jails across India and South Africa, using the time to write My Experiments with Truth and strategize freedom. He turned cells into think tanks.
Fasting for Unity: A staunch vegetarian, Gandhi fasted for weeks—once surviving 21 days on water alone—to promote Hindu-Muslim harmony and protest injustice. His diet of goat’s milk and fruits was a nod to health and discipline.
Newspaper Maverick: In South Africa, Gandhi ran Indian Opinion, penning fiery editorials against racial discrimination. His words rallied thousands, making him a one-man media powerhouse.
Caste Crusader: Gandhi lived his equality mantra, cleaning latrines alongside “untouchables” (whom he called Harijans) in his ashrams, challenging caste norms when it was radical to do so.
Hollywood’s Muse: The 1982 film Gandhi, starring Ben Kingsley, won eight Oscars and cost $22 million to make. It brought Gandhi’s story to the world, proving his life was blockbuster material.
Flaws and All: Gandhi owned his mistakes, from early biases to family tensions, in his autobiography. His raw honesty about growth makes him relatable, not a distant saint.
Eco-Visionary: Gandhi’s push for village economies and minimalism feels like a 2025 sustainability manifesto. His ideas on local self-reliance are a playbook for tackling today’s climate challenges.
Why Some Right-Wing Groups Are Dissing Gandhi in 2025
While Gandhi Jayanti sees PM Narendra Modi unveiling stamps at Sabarmati Ashram and schoolkids chanting Raghupati Raghav, some right-wing corners are throwing shade. On X, #GandhiJayanti2025 mixes with posts calling him “irrelevant” or worse. Here’s the deal:
“Appeasement” Claims: Some Hindu nationalist groups, including RSS hardliners, argue Gandhi favored Muslims during Partition by pushing Hindu-Muslim unity. They misframe his peace efforts as “anti-Hindu,” ignoring his broader vision.
Godse’s Legacy: Nathuram Godse, Gandhi’s assassin, is lionized by fringe right-wingers who claim non-violence delayed independence or softened India against Pakistan. A 2024 book on Godse’s trial fueled X debates, with users recycling old gripes.
Non-Violence vs. Nationalism: Gandhi’s ahimsa clashes with the aggressive, militaristic nationalism some youth embrace. X posts scoff at his spinning wheel as “weak” compared to modern power symbols like tech or defense.
Cherry-Picked Critiques: Detractors focus on Gandhi’s early views on caste or personal experiments like celibacy, sidelining his evolution and role in uniting millions against colonial rule.
Political Pawn: Post-2024 elections, Gandhi’s name is weaponized. BJP critics use him to slam Congress, while some Congress leaders accuse the right of erasing his legacy. He’s caught in a tug-of-war far from his unity ideal.