Discourses on Modernity: Gandhi and Savarkar

Abstract

Debates emanate from dualities, situations of conflict, contradictions and paradoxes. Modernity is a paradox of sorts. So too was the colonial experience. Contrary to popular belief, Gandhi looked at the Indian traditions and ways of life from the perspective derived from western modernist epistemology. Our attitude to modernity is bound up, consciously or otherwise, with our perspective on colonialism as the forerunner of modernity. The word ‘modernity’ has varied connotations. In the present context, it is to be understood, chiefly, as western Enlightenment modernity mediated through European colonialism. But the perception of Gandhi and V.D. Savarkar differed regarding western Enlightenment modernity as there were differences of opinion between them on almost every political and social issue and methods of struggle against colonialism. These differences were rooted actually in their understanding of modernity, its epistemologies and variants prevalent in Europe, their relevance for Indian context and national liberation struggle. Gandhi’s may appear to be rooted in indigenous traditions but he also inherited the ‘scientific temper’ and methods and weapons of struggle which ‘modern politics’ has brought to forefront in Europe and America. Savarkar, on the other hand, was influenced by the intellectual trends which forged the weapons for the Right-wing politics in Europe. Gandhi appears to be always open to dialogue even though his position may be very dogmatic on certain issues but Savarkar is free from ambivalences that resurface repeatedly in Gandhi. The reflection is to be found in their political, literary, philosophical and other discourses, providing contexts in which debates unfold concerning customs, laws, religions, languages, generations, regions and ends and means controversy. They underpin controversies over the relationship of the individual to the collective.