Thinking about the relevance of Mahatma Gandhi’s ideas in the 21st century, three points come to mind, given the widespread devastation and depression of today’s world. First, the 21st century appears to present a very gloomy picture, at least to the great thinkers of our time. From Bernard-Henri Levy to Yuval Noah Harari to John Mearsheimer to Henry Kissinger, they point to the devastation brought by climate change, the potential dangers of artificial intelligence, and the widespread violence emerging out of apparently ethnic and religious conflicts.

Looming over the misery of ordinary lives is what Mearsheimer calls “great power rivalry,” when the individual is further forgotten and dominated by the vast resources and political power of the hegemonic nations. It is here where the humility and compassion of the Mahatma are more relevant than ever.

On top of all this—or because of it—commentators suggest we may be sleepwalking into a third world war, one that may well end human life as we know it on the planet.

Need for universal philosophies

Secondly, in order to alleviate this widespread gloom and misery, the world desperately needs universal philosophies to embrace the different sections and shapes of human societies. It is in this context that the ideas and example of Mahatma Gandhi become most relevant. His ideas of ahimsa or nonviolence, including satyagraha or non-violent struggle for justice, plus shanti or peace, and seva or service to people, are the most powerful and relevant aspects of his philosophy for today’s world.

For me these values are embodied in how he reached out to those of different faiths besides his own, for example the Muslims, as well as Dalits. This is a saintly attribute. He went out of his way to show respect and acceptance for the minority. For example, he wrote a foreword to Abdullah Suhrawardy’s book ‘The Saying of Mohammad’ (1905) on the life of the Prophet of Islam (on Him be peace). He read from the holy Quran in his morning prayer and chanted his favourite hymn which included invocations to both Ishwar and Allah, the Hindu and Muslim names for the Divine Being.

The Mahatma’s inclusive embrace of humanity was also visible when even after the bloody and bitter Partition in 1947 he declared that he would spend three months of every year in Pakistan, as the peoples of both nations were close to his heart. Mr. Jinnah’s response was equally magnificent. He ordered his staff to provide Mahatma with the same protocol reserved for a head of state.

Perhaps that is why Gandhi was assassinated. But that is precisely what in my eyes and the eyes of millions makes him a superhero for the ages.

If a true aristocrat is to be defined by courtesy and good manners, then the Mahatma was no less than the most refined princes and maharajas of India. His interactions were marked by legendary grace, respect and courtesy even in times of acrimony and division. He even addressed Mr. Jinnah, a political opponent, as the Quaid-I-Azam, the title given to Mr Jinnah by his supporters.

Third, we need to ask ourselves what are the principles of Gandhian behaviour we need to remind ourselves of? What are we to extract from a life so rich? Despite the shameful online attacks on his reputation, we need to share and propagate the great Gandhian virtues of ahimsa, shanti and seva.

His forgotten message

When he heard the Mahatma was killed, Mr Jinnah, the Quaid–e-Azam, issued an immediate message of condolence. He used the word ‘great’ four times to describe the Mahatma, adding the Muslims of India had lost their greatest supporter.

Both leaders would have been heartbroken to see the condition and predicament of the minorities in their respective nations. To my mind the reconciliation of these two great men of history is the inevitable destiny of the subcontinent and will bring peace and harmony to this vast and troubled region of the planet.

That is why the last scene in my latest play ‘Gandhi and Jinnah return home’ ends with the two giants of the subcontinent embracing and acknowledging each other. “He is correctly called the Quaid-i-Azam,” says the Mahatma and Jinnah replies, “He is indeed the Mahatma.”

Our South Asian subcontinent in the last century elevated the Mahatma to an icon and then forgot his true message. All of us must revive the essence of his message for the 21st century. He does not need us. We need him. Conferences highlighting these aspects are so important - not only India but the world needs these Gandhian values.

(The writer is Distinguished Professor and the Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, School of International Service, American University, and Wilson Center Global Fellow, Washington DC. He was the former Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK and Ireland. This piece is based on his virtual talk as a Distinguished Speaker at the International Seminar on ‘Mahatma Gandhi for the 21st Century’, 24-25 August 2024, marking the 75th year of the Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi (Memorial Fund), Bengaluru. By special arrangement with Sapan)