Dear Ranjuradha I have no idea what Nizar spoke the other day except by way of the report, but from what I've read of his writings on Gandhi it seems a bit unfair to club him along with the moral cowards you encounter in Delhi, about who you wrote and especially ashish nandy. The report seems to hint that the clearly culpable historical figure of Gandhi may be excused as we could view Gandhi as an interpretable, rich text. If that is the case, I would disagree with Nizar. But I doubt whether he would take such a vulnerable position. Since I haven't heard him speak I won't take a position on this. But to use epithets like 'Nandy-Nizar' is only to vent steam; it is just like calling someone a dumb idiot and call that criticism. Just like the rightwingers do to us most of the time. I think this argument (if it was indeed made the way the report states)needs to be analysed for what it does and the damage it does. In fact the damage that Nandy does, and this 'Nizar' does may be different, and have significantly different consequences.
There is nothing wrong, I feel, in treating Gandhi as a text provided one is deeply aware of the role he played in shoring up soft hindu-modernised misogynist brahmin-nationalism. He is certainly not admirable, from my social location, as a historical figure. I think it is necessary for us to take away much of the legacy of anticaste bhakti - ideas, practices, techniques-- (I'm not at all surprised that he touched Phule's feet; he did use much of Phule's insights, to ends that Phule would oppose) that he appropriated for elitist nationalism. Textualising and historicising Gandhi would be a strategy to that critical end. That can be done only by challenging precisely his claim as the progenitor of a whole range of potent political techniques which have roots elsewhere, in the resistances of the underprivileged. I think it is a great tribute to Ambedkar that he continues to inspire as a historical figure, while also being read as a text. Gandhi has become a text and is no more inspiring as historical figure. Devika --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
