Gandhi's Strategic Approach Against Caste: A Historical Analysis

Summary

Nishikant Kolge's *Gandhi Against Caste* examines Mahatma Gandhi's complex relationship with the caste system, challenging conventional interpretations through a strategic lens. The book, a revised PhD thesis, analyzes Gandhi's writings, speeches, and actions to argue that his apparent inconsistencies on caste may reflect deliberate tactics rather than ideological contradictions. Kolge categorizes historical perspectives on Gandhi's stance, emphasizing his belief in judging the leader by his conduct rather than his writings alone. The study traces Gandhi's evolving approach, from his South African experiences to his later anti-untouchability campaigns in India, while comparing his strategies with those of contemporaries like B.R. Ambedkar and the Arya Samaj's Shuddi movement. Kolge highlights Gandhi's patience and gradualism, quoting his acknowledgment of the difficulty in fully converting society to his views. Despite underplaying Ambedkar's role, the work is praised for its rigorous methodology, extensive primary sources, and fresh reinterpretation of Gandhi's caste opposition. The book is commended for its scholarly contribution, historical insight, and relevance to understanding Gandhi's socio-political strategies.