Gandhian Satyagraha an Analytical and Critical Approach

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This book is an attempt to study Gandhian Satyagraha In a Philosophical way by analysing the basic principles of Satyagraha with a critical view point. It contents the basic philosophical ideas persisting In Gandhi throughout his life. The author has gave a brief life sketch of Gandhi totally philosophical without any input of political life. Secondly he went through the meaning. Objective and Sources of Satyagraha. The book also discusses the inherent fundamental principles underlying Satyagraha. The author has for the first time devided Satyagraha into two compartments Forms and Elements. Forms relates to political actions and elements relates to underlying ideas of God, Truth and Non- Violence. The book has detailed and elaborate explanation of all the basic thought and practices of Satyagraha, and what are the inherent contradictions. In concluding chapter the author has pluck up courage to find out how far Satyagraha and its principles are relevant now a days and what are its negative impact upon our society due to its negative implications. This book is not only for the students of Gandhian thought or Philosophy but for general people as well to know Gandhian Satyagraha in its totality incontext to modern times.

Dr. Ajay Shankar Rai, is Lecturer, (Specialisation in Indian Philosophy) in Department of Philosophy S.S.M. College, Chitra, Deoghar since 1993. He took his B.A. (Hons) in 1988, M.A. in 1991, B. Ed in 1992 from Patna University He took Sahityalankar in the year 1994 from Hindi Vidyapith Deoghar, L.L.B. from Bhagalpur University in the year 1996. He obtained his Ph. D. from Patna University in the year 1998.

Dr. Rai has been actively engaged in writing books and articles. He is working on social philosophy, Radical Humanism and Indian Philosophy.

This book Gandhian Satyagraha: An Analytical and Critical Approach apparently indicates that Gandhi is not consistent with his views on Satyagraha, a technique of non-violent political movement. Gandhi confidently implies it in the field of Socio-Political arena, though he has better experiences of its practical implications. I have made an attempt to show the cause of bitterness of Satyagraha experienced not by Gandhi but by ourselves too. This practical bitterness depends on the contradic tions inhert in Satyagraha.

Before analysing and finding out the contradictions of Satyagraha, it is essential to brief a short sketch of Mahatma Gandhi's life and works. So I have started with the brief introduction of Gandhi's life and works. Then I have attempted to find out the meaning and sources of Satyagraha, Satyagraha as a moral theory is traced out in different testimonies like Vedas, Upnisada, Geeta, Mahabharata, Ramayana etc. After tracing out the source of Satyagraha, I have analysed elements and forms of Satyagraha. God, truth, non-violence etc. are elements of Satyagraha. Civil disobedience, non-cooperation, fasting etc. are forms of Satyagraha. In course of analysis of elements and forms, I have searched out contradictions invariably lain inherent in them. It proves that Satyagraha itself is full of contradictions. A contradictory theory always reflects on the society negatively. Therefore, I conclude my thesis in establishing the negative implication of Satyagraha in our society. The work is originally a thesis for Ph. D. degree is now published with some modifications and additions. I feel that it is a herculean task which cannot be fulfilled without the help of my esteemed teacher and supervisor, Dr N. P. Tiwary, Reader, Department of Philosophy, B. N. College, Patna University Patna. Therefore, I am extreemly indebted in recording my deep sense of gratitude to him for his encouragement, inspiration, sympathetic attitude, valuable guidance and advise during the completion of this work.

**Contents and Sample Pages**