“To me political power is not an end but one of the means of enabling people to better their condition in every department of life. Political power means capacity to regulate national life through national representatives. If national life becomes so perfect as to become self-regulated, no representation becomes necessary. There is then a state of enlightened anarchy. In such a State everyone is his own master. He rules himself in such a manner that he is never a hindrance to his neighbour. In the ideal State, therefore, there is no political power because there is no State. But the ideal is never fully realized in life. Hence the classical statement of Thoreau that the government is best which governs the least –is worthy of consideration.” [Young India on July 2, 1931,]
“There is no human institution but has its dangers. The greater the institution the greater the chances of abuse. Democracy is a great institution and therefore it is liable to be greatly abused. The remedy, therefore, is not avoidance of democracy but reduction of possibility of abuse to a minimum.” [Young India, May 7, 1931]
“Democracy is an impossible thing until the power is shared by all…Even a pariah, a labourer, who makes it possible for you to earn your living, will have his share in self-government –Swarajya or democracy.” [Young India, December 1, 1927]
“In Swarajya based on Ahimsa people need not know their rights, but it is necessary for them to know their duties.” [Harijan, March 25, 1939]
“Rights accrue automatically to him who duly performs his duties. In fact the right to perform one’s duties is the only right that is worth living…It covers all legitimate rights…” [Harijan, May 27, 1939]
“Today capitalist and zamindar talk of their rights, the labourer on the other hand of his, the prince of his divine right to rule, the ryot of his to resist it. If all simply insist on rights and no duties, there will be utter confusion and chaos.”
“If instead of insisting on rights everyone does his duty, there will immediately be the rule of order established among mankind. There is no such thing as the divine right of kings to rule and the humble duty of the riots to pay respectful obedience to their masters.” [Harijan, July 6, 1947]
“…if leaving duties unperformed we run after rights, they escape us like a will-o’-the-wisp” [Yong India, January 1, 1925]
...
Freedom, Justice, Fundemental rights achieved by doing ones duty - the three pillars of swarajya, self governance, towards which democracy was an enabling tool. Only, the tools are worn out and world doesn't know what to do because you are long dead...
போய்ட்டியே தாத்தா!
A small step of this Man was a giant leap for Humanity. Sadly, dust settled in his footprints on the very land he walked tirelessly...
Happy birthday, my hero, always and forever... We will keep walking.
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