Analysis of The New Adventures of the Great Gandhi Comedy - Essay Example

According to virtue theories, virtuous character traits are developed in one's youth. Adults are responsible for instilling virtues in the young. (Ethics, excerpts from the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). What are the serial teaching children It has portrayed a historical leader as a dubious, violent, rude, and repulsive character! The character Mohandas thrives on slang! Even, cursing has been uplifted by making use of a historical language like Sanskrit.

(That is sheer blasphemy!) This view has been strongly supported by the PTA and PTC who specifically condemn the extreme violence. They further argue using Kant's categorical imperative1 which says "Treat people as an end and never as a means to an end" (qtd. in. Ethics, excerpts from the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy) saying that people's anger and the whole controversy is being used to make the serial popular. Is such a success morally right Duty theories consist of many duties, among which are duties towards others.

German philosopher Samuel Pufendorf divided these duties2 into three; among which was-"avoid wronging others". The Indians are being wronged here by insulting their "Father of the Nation". The very fact that the character was named Mohandas Satyagraha in the original memo and made to act violently and regressively shows the deliberate attempt to make Gandhi a laughing stock! "Satyagraha" means the eternal follower of truth, whereas this character does no such thing! Why does the West repeatedly try to undermine the image of Gandhi, whether it is the MTV "Clone High" (Clone High, Wikipedia Encyclopedia) or "The Great Gandhi" Normative ethics says that we should do to others what we would want others to do to us.

(Ethics, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Would the West accept one of their leaders made fun of in this way and to this extent, Gandhi stood for peace and non-violence? While the whole world admired this quality this serial is denouncing and making a mockery of that principle! India respects him even today and looks up to him. This act will not go unnoticed. People will protest this. Citing the theory of Act-Utilitarianism3 the coof this action should have been considered.

(Ethics, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy). This great leader's memory has been damaged. Who will pay for it The recent list of duties given by British philosopher W.D. Ross, under Duty Theory includes Reparation or the duty to compensatW.D. Ross when we harm them. (Ethics, Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy) Who is going to compensate for this moral damage caused this is merely an act of Ethical Egoism4. Only the profit of the cause has been considered, completely ignoring people's sentiments.

Gandhi is called the "Mahatma" in India. "Mahatma" means, 'the great soul'. People also called him "Bapu" or 'Father'. He was like God to Indians. Is this the way to treat such a revered figure Gandhi's character has been degraded and slurred. The same Gandhi who had introduced the term "Harijans" or 'people of God to describe the lower caste people and abolish the caste system in India. It is as if, a deliberate attempt of racism. 'The great Gandhi' is like a blemish on the spirit of India! 

The New Adventures of the Great Gandhi’ is a comedy that revolves around the character Mohandas, based on the real Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. It has received opposition from all sections of society. People have criticized the makers for such an immoral and unethical creation. But, I would beg to differ.