Gandhi’s Feminism: Redefining Gender Roles in India’s Freedom Struggle | Sachin Yadav

Mahatma Gandhi is globally renowned for his non-violent movement and Satyagraha during the Indian freedom struggle. But can we truly regard him as a feminist? When evaluating Gandhi in the context of Indian feminism, we must also focus on the feminine virtues he embodied throughout his life. Gandhi not only supported women’s rights but also integrated traditionally feminine qualities into his movements, making them stronger. According to Shane Ryland, Gandhi’s views on gender equality were rooted in the Hindu spiritual concept of the soul, where men and women were considered equal at the level of the soul. Gandhi believed that ‘men and women possess the same kind of soul’, and that this soul is not influenced by caste, gender, or nationality.

MAHATMA GANDHI NOT only respected but actively embraced feminine virtues in his life and movements. Qualities such as non-violence, sacrifice, empathy, and care – typically associated with women – were central to Gandhi’s philosophy. He consistently emphasised that women’s place was not confined to the home but was equally important in society. He believed that these virtues did not make women inferior to men, but rather more capable.

Gandhi’s feminist approach was distinct from other reformers of his time. While Jyotiba Phule, Ambedkar, Pandita Ramabai and Periyar focused on empowering women, Gandhi adopted feminine qualities and made them part of his movements. Non-violence, fasting, love, cooperation, sympathy, charity, and care – attributes inherent to women’s personalities – were integral to Gandhi’s fight in colonial India. His deep connection with women’s emotional and physical struggles resonated profoundly during the freedom struggle, more so than any other leader at the time.

Women’s Participation and Empowerment

One of Gandhi’s greatest contributions was instilling in Indian women the belief that their femininity itself enabled them to play a vital role in society. He made women realise they were not inferior to men, but capable of bringing about social change through their unique feminine virtues. Gandhi believed that the endurance, sacrifice, and empathy of women formed the moral foundation of his struggle. These virtues not only lent moral strength to the freedom movement but also helped Gandhi create a movement rooted in non-violence, love, and empathy, rather than anger or aggression. Gandhi not only included women in his movement but also provided them with opportunities for leadership.

He showed that women could contribute to the national freedom movement while fulfilling their familial and social duties. Notably, women’s participation in Gandhi’s non-violent movements was often more impactful than that of men. Their sacrificial and resilient nature aligned well with Gandhi’s principles of non-violence. He made it clear that this inner strength made women far greater than men, as they could endure suffering while also bringing about profound social change.

Gandhi’s Feminist Perspective

Gandhi’s vision of gender relations was rooted in the belief that men and women should complement, not dominate, one another. He famously stated, ‘A man must remain a man and assimilate the qualities of a woman, and a woman must remain a woman but adopt the boldness of a man.’ This philosophy represents a cornerstone of his feminist ideology, where he advocated for a harmonious balance and equality between the sexes. Gandhi viewed the distinct qualities of both men and women as essential for achieving social equilibrium, and he rejected the idea of one gender’s superiority over the other. In his view, women’s endurance and capacity for self-sacrifice were far more impactful and meaningful than the brute force often associated with men. Gandhi did not merely regard women as equal to men but, in many respects, saw them as morally superior. He believed that qualities such as compassion, sacrifice, and caregiving, which were seen as inherently feminine, had the power to bring about social peace and harmony.

At a time when women in Indian society were relegated to inferior roles, Gandhi’s ideal of gender relations was revolutionary. He viewed femininity not as a weakness but as a form of social strength, encouraging women to embrace these traits as a means to contribute meaningfully to society. His perspective empowered women to see their inherent capabilities and paved the way for their self-empowerment and active participation in social change. By recognising the moral and ethical qualities that women possessed, Gandhi inspired a movement towards gender equality, motivating society to reconsider its treatment and perception of women.

To truly understand Gandhi, one must examine both his thoughts and life. He didn’t restrict himself to any one ideology or theory, but rather presented his entire life as a message. Gandhi embodied the famous feminist slogan of the second wave, ‘the personal is political’. There was no private aspect of his life that he refrained from sharing publicly. His life was the clearest example of his philosophy, and he openly expressed his moral struggles and personal experiences in his books and writings.

Debates continue in academic institutions and universities about whether Gandhi should be considered a feminist. Some scholars argue that Gandhi advocated for women’s rights, but critics claim that he did not always give women the dignity they deserved, especially under the guise of morality. This duality emerges when we examine the contradictions in Gandhi’s life and thoughts. Many aspects of Gandhi’s life support the notion of his feminism. For instance, he encouraged women to participate in the freedom struggle and brought their issues to the forefront of society. However, questions have been raised about his experiments with celibacy and his views on sexuality, especially by feminists. While Gandhi regarded femininity as a strength and believed in the equality of women, critics argue that his approach was not entirely free from patriarchal norms. Nor was his treatment of Kasturba, impartial. This duality reflects the complexity of Gandhi’s feminism. To fully grasp his feminist views, we need to delve into every aspect of his life, rather than merely studying his writings or theories.

Gandhi’s Experiments with Celibacy

Contradictions in Gandhi’s life and thoughts are often scrutinised by feminists. His ‘experiments with celibacy’ have faced significant criticism. Many feminists and traditionalists regard these experiments as impure or immoral. Gandhi, however, saw it as a means of spiritual purity, where he practised restraint and celibacy in his interactions with women. Opinions on this may differ, but for Gandhi, it was part of a spiritual practice, redefining relationships between men and women in terms of morality and spirituality. This is where Gandhi’s views often face criticism for aligning with patriarchal structures, viewing women’s bodies as a moral challenge. Contemporary feminist thinkers find Gandhi’s views inconsistent and complex.

The Relevance of Gandhi’s Feminine Virtues Today

In today’s environment of religious fanaticism, aggression, and socio-political divisions, the relevance of Gandhi’s feminine virtues has only increased. His principles of love, empathy, peace, non-violence, and tolerance serve as an ideal in today’s violent and hateful society. Gandhi’s feminist perspective must be adopted as a guiding force in today’s politics. In feminist movements, where women often strive to be seen as equal to men, Gandhi’s message is that women should embrace their feminine qualities. He believed that virtues like compassion, empathy, and tolerance make women more capable than men. He also emphasised that women’s empowerment lies in embracing and expressing their femininity.

Gandhi’s ideas have been subject to much criticism. Dalit and backward-class intellectuals disagree with Gandhi’s views on caste, while Hindu conservatives criticise his advocacy for Muslims. Similarly, feminists debate his life and thoughts, especially his experiments with celibacy and patriarchal tendencies. Despite these criticisms, Gandhi’s contribution to feminism and his embodiment of feminine virtues cannot be denied. By integrating feminine qualities into his life, Gandhi presented women as powerful participants in the struggle for freedom. In today’s world, where society faces violence and aggression, Gandhi’s feminist perspective rooted in feminine virtues offers an inspiring message for all. His belief that women can play a crucial role in society because of their femininity remains as relevant today as ever.

(Author: Sachin Yadav holds a Master’s in Political Science from the University of Rajasthan, with a deep commitment to exploring gender, politics, and social justice. His research interests lie in gender-based issues, peace, and humanitarianism. Sachin aspires to actively contribute to academic dialogue and transformative feminist narratives in India’s socio-political landscape)

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