Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule - Essay Example

Gandhi bases his arguments on several themes; he argues that it is not favorable for the Englishmen to leave India, only for the Indians to adopt their British culture, arguing that, Indians would prefer an English rule in the absence of Englishmen. On Indian independence, Gandhi argues that Indian independence was successful due to passive resistance. He also argues that self reliance is a vital tool, which can be utilized by the Indians, in that, the British must adhere to the Indians demands if they desire any kind of deal.

In addition, Gandhi argues that India must reject the western civilization if it yearns for freedom. What is Gandhi’s main objective? Gandhi, in his own words says, “It is my duty patiently to try to remove your prejudice” (Gandhi p7, ch1). Gandhi’s main objective was to free India from the domination of the British Empire. The title of Gandhi book, Swaraj means self governance; here, Gandhi’s focus was on empowering Indians to discard the British economic, political, legal, and social way of life.

Gandhi believed in a world of peace and harmony, free from any colonialism; but one is self sustained and capable of managing its affairs. What are Gandhi’s political and social positions? According to Hind Swaraj (p5 ch1), as the editor, Gandhi explains to the reader on the desire for home rule by arguing that, home rule is similar to self rule, claiming that the British should not only leave the country, but they should also not leave behind their British style, only to be adopted by the Indians.

He further explains to the reader that the British desired home rule for India, claiming that, the Englishmen were not ill and the Indians had to cooperate with them in order to achieve home rule sooner, hence becoming free. Secondly, Gandhi argues on Indian’s independence, which would only be achieved through passive resistance, insisting that the magnitude of love and pity is higher that that of firearms. He explains that the use of brutality is harmful, but not in the use of pity. According to Gandhi (p10 CH2), swadeshi or self-reliance, can be exercised by the Indians with an aim of declining all trade dealings with the British, if the British do not meet their demands.

He further describes partition as an awakening call, which sends a message to the British that the Indian’s have the will from unrests, meaning that they are discontented. Gandhi continues to argue that, India has to reject the western civilization in order to be free, claiming that western civilization is not only unfit for India, but it is unhealthy as well. Gandhi (p14 ch4) criticizes the British parliament as a sterile woman or a prostitute, one whose members are concerned about their powers than the welfare of the public.

Gandhi bases his arguments on truth and non violence. Importantly, his political views also pointed at the prevention of concentration of political power in the hands of few individuals; he preferred that political power be distributed to many, therefore adopting a democratic nature. Economic power should also be in the hands of many compared to few in order to ensure that competition and exploitation are minimized. When production is based on need rather than greed, poverty can be eradicated; Indians would also realize the dignity of labor, which improves productivity.

Gandhi also insists on self-reliance by Indians in their villages, religion and the nation at large. The