Gandhi Would Dislike Pen, But Give Proceeds to Poor

The storm in India over Montblanc's $23,000 Gandhi commemorative pen is reminiscent of the storm raised by my decision 20 years ago to raise money for the Institute for Nonviolence in Memphis by selling some of my grandfather's handwritten letters to my parents.

Then, as now, people and the press made wild allegations of commercializing Gandhi and raised their voices upholding Gandhi's values and principles without understanding the intentions, which are not always materially motivated.

Would Gandhi like a gold pen in his memory? No, he wouldn't. Would he like his image used in commercials promoting consumer products? Of course not. But his objections would be more because he was never a vain person and did not like to be photographed, promoted in any way or extolled for his virtues. However, when it came to raising money for social work and for the poor, he sold his autograph, his photograph and his books.

I recall traveling with him by train. At every railway station, hundreds and sometimes thousands congregated to pay their respects to the person they venerated. At every station grandfather held out his hands demanding money and valuables. Many Indian women cherish stories of parting with expensive jewelery because Gandhi took it from them, saying, "Give that to me. I need it for the poor." And people gave him their possessions without hesitation. Gandhi never asked how their wealth was obtained.

If we are today sincerely concerned about Gandhi's principles and values, let us ask ourselves: What aspect of modern India would Gandhi be proud of? Would he have approved of a bloated government, with officials living like modern Maharajas? Would he have been happy to see alcohol and drug flowing where he expected milk and honey to flow? Would he have approved of policies that make the rich richer and the poor poorer and where the poor continue to be exploited as slaves of the rich? According to official statistics more than 80 per cent of the domestic workers in big cities in India are girls around 12 years of age, some of whom are sexually abused.

Let us ask ourselves: If Gandhi is such a venerated Father of the Nation, why are his personal belongings scattered around the country and the world for individuals to exploit for financial gains? Why was no attempt made by the government at the time of his assassination to gather and preserve his personal belongings? How could unscrupulous persons take his belongings and sell them for personal gain?

Why are we not indignant about this? The storm cleared as quickly as it started and now no one cares where these important possessions of a revered Indian leader are stashed.

Apparently, there is no harm in Indians using and abusing Gandhi's name and image for honorable and dishonorable purposes and not pay a dime in charity, yet, if an outsider does so it comes under intense scrutiny even if they make handsome donations to the cause of the poor.

It would appear that Indians may abuse the Father of the Nation as much as they wish but others, even if their intentions are honorable, may be subjected to intense scrutiny. Why this hypocrisy?

Not long ago someone made a bold statement that Nathuram Godse shot and murdered Gandhi once but our politicians and officials murder him every day. And many of those who raise their voices in indignation now over Montblanc's gold pen forget their sensibilities when it comes to what the servants of the people are doing in India.

Gandhi would say: Let us get our own values and morality straightened out before we begin preaching to others.

By Arun Gandhi  |  October 8, 2009; 7:51 AM ET
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