If Mahatma Gandhi were alive today, he would have never participated in our elections, national especially. He was never a leader of a political party; rather, he was the undisputed leader of the masses. He never required votes to gain power. His immense power sprung from the belief of the masses in him. But, hypothetically, if he were to, it would be to fill the large moral vacuum in the political sphere (OpEd page, “If Gandhi were alive today”, April 8). Politics today is devoid of values and morals. It is largely about money and power.
Sandeep Sethia,
Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh
Gandhiji predominantly based his leadership on secular principles and nation-building and not for any material gains or personal aggrandisement. The difference today is that political parties want to grab power by hook or by crook, which includes buying votes.
E.S. Chandrasekaran,
Chennai
Young voters — like me — who are about to cast their first votes in these elections must note that Gandhian politics can alter our political parties. Most of the changes would be seen in the organisation of the Congress party itself as Gandhiji was strongly opposed to dynastic politics. Overall, it is foolish to expect our politicians to ever follow Gandhiji in spirit.
Kiran Babasaheb Ransing,
New Delhi
In the current political era of coalition, competitive and unprincipled politics, it would be difficult for political parties to follow what is right and of long-term significance; anything which gives instant gratification to the masses works well.
Gandhiji is obviously well respected and studied but not followed because his ways were hard and do not suit the game of contemporary power politics. But why point a finger at our politicians, who only show the mirror to us; they are an integrated and extended part of us and reflect the thinking of our societies at large. We as a society have to grow and evolve with maturity to see a future built on the principles of justice, equality, truth and peace. It is only then, with time, that we can demand and deserve disciplined politics from our leaders.
Salman Mahmood,
Noida, Uttar Pradesh