7.gandhi and Indian Diaspora

GANDHI AND INDIAN DIASPORA

As a mass leader, Gandhi’s principles have always fostered communal

harmony, international relations and understanding, and protest against colonial
and racial discrimination. Diaspora too is yet another domain where Gandhi’s
contribution and relevance cannot be overlooked. Gandhi has been one of the
key figures in the making of Indian diaspora and so also the diaspora in the
making of Gandhi. Gandhi’s major weapon of revolution “Satyagraha” was
experimented in the diaspora (South Africa) and, at the same time, his
satyagraha success story in India permeated to several diasporic countries across
the globe.
Ironically, however, Gandhi has not been emphasized sufficiently in our theory
and praxis of Diaspora as compared to other areas of discourse. It is in this
connection, the study of ‘Gandhi and Indian diaspora’ owes its relevance today
in order to discuss: Why Gandhi and Indian diaspora is so important? What is
the significance of diaspora in Gandhi and vice versa? However, to understand
the role of Mahatma Gandhi from diasporic perspective, we need to discuss
various dimensions of his overseas life and contributions.

Gandhi’s South African Connection

After returning from London in 1891, and having law practice in Rajkot and
Bombay, Gandhi went to South Africa with a contract of one year (Tendulkar
1951). While in South Africa, he learned that the Indians in Natal province were
just about to lose their right to vote. For Gandhiji, the issue was not only the
specific grievances of the Indians but their individual and national self-respect.
The satyagraha here was a part of the struggle of India for its dignity, and a
moral crusade, though waged on the South African soil. When, Dr. Y. M.
Dadoo and Dr. G. M. Naicker, leaders of the passive resistance movement in
South Africa, met Gandhiji on April 11, 1947, he confessed to them thus:
"Truly speaking, it was after I went to South Africa that I became what I am
now. My love for South Africa and my concern for her problems are no less
than for India..." (Item 233) Therefore, in 1928, commenting on a report that
some Indians in South Africa favoured separation from Africans in education,
Gandhiji wrote in Young India on April 5, 1928: "Indians have too much in
common with the Africans to think of isolating themselves from them. They
cannot exist in South Africa for any length of time without the active sympathy
and friendship of the Africans. . . . and it would be a tragedy if any such
movement were to gain ground among the Indian settlers of South Africa."
Thus, Gandhi’s South African experiment is a great message to the Indian
diaspora elsewhere.
Gandhi in Mauritius
In 1924, as the President of the Indian National Congress, the Mahatma referred
to the inhumane treatment of the indentured Indians in Mauritius. Between the
1910s and 1940s, Mahatma Gandhi came in touch with several Mauritians such
as R. K. Boodhun, P. Lutchmaya, J. N. Roy and B. Bissoondoyal. He
encouraged them to work for the social, political and economic betterment of all
Mauritians. During the past sixty years, there has been a rich and important
tradition of celebrating the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi (October 2, 1869 –
January 30, 1948). In October 2001, the centenary anniversary of the visit of
Gandhiji to Mauritius was commemorated at a national level. Today, it is
widely known and accepted among the Mauritians that the visit of Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi has had a long-lasting impact on their country’s history.
Gandhi and the indentured Indians in Fiji

Similarly in Fiji, Gandhi was very sensitive towards the indentured system as
well as the ill-treatment of indentured laborers. As K. A. Ray observed
“Historically, for almost 50 years after the beginning of indentured migration in
1834 neither the colonial government of India nor the general population had
been particularly concerned about the maltreatment of Indian indentured
workers abroad. It was only Gandhi’s threat of a nationwide satyagraha (passive
resistance) which brought end to recruitment in 1917 (Ray 1993: 283). This
resulted in the termination of indentured system in 1920. However, this incident
became significant as C. Voigt-Graf observed that “once indenture was
abolished, though, the mainstream of Indian national politics lost interest in the
Indian diaspora” (2004: 185).
Gandhi as the social and political capital of Diaspora

Mahatma Gandhi is not just the face of modern India, but is the most influential
icon for the diaspora today which cut across the communities and ideological
barriers. As Mr. Vinay Lal observes, “Gandhi’s name evidently has cultural
capital everywhere in the world. . .” There are many research institutions,
cultural centres, social organizations in the name of Mahatma Gandhi in almost
all the countries having diaspora presence. The Ministry of External Affairs
(MEA) and Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) have also complied
with the diasporas’ demand for Gandhi’s presence through instituting
institutions, installing statues and other forms of promotions. In Guyana, Cheddi
Jagan is considered as Guyana’s Mahatma Gandhi. The Mahatma Gandhi
Institute Indian Immigration Archives is undoubtedly the largest repository
documentation and photographic collection of the 19th Century Indian
Indentured Labourers recruited in Mauritius. Similarly, The Mahatma Gandhi
Institute for Cultural Cooperation, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago is the
platform for promoting India and diaspora relations.
Gandhi, Contemporary India and Diaspora

The High Level Committee on the Indian Diaspora constituted by the National
Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government of India also proposed to hold annual
celebrations called “Pravasi Bharatiya Divas” in honour of the Indian diaspora
to ensure its sustained interaction with India. The significance of Gandhiji again
came to the forefront when the organizers decided to organize the event on the
day of Gandhiji’s return from South Africa. Moreover, the recent anti-
corruption movement led by Anna Hazare in India also had its influence among
the diaspora youth because of its Gandhian principles. The Dandi march of San
Fancisco in support of Anna’s fast on April 9, 2011 and afterwards is quite
significant. These NRIs had a 240 mile walk against corruption and urged for
one-day fast in several cities across US.
Conclusion
With his multifaceted life, Gandhi has highly influenced different diaspora
communities worldwide. In such a context it will not be out of place to consider
Mahatma Gandhi the first person to integrate the scattered Indians world-wide.
In fact, Gandhi has made the ‘Indian Diaspora’ more prominently be part of
public interest in India. Thus Gandhi has been one of the monumental figures
who will be always be part of the foreign policy, community life, cultural and
political activities in India and abroad. He is the most important link between
the mother country and her diaspora.

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GANDHI AND INDIAN DIASPORA

As a mass leader, Gandhi’s principles have always fostered communal

Gandhi’s South African Connection

Gandhi and the indentured Indians in Fiji

Gandhi as the social and political capital of Diaspora

Gandhi, Contemporary India and Diaspora

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