Gandhi and the Contemporary World

This book develops a critical understanding of Mahatma Gandhi?s philosophy and practice in the context of contemporary challenges and engages with some of his key work and ideas. It highlights the relevance of Gandhi?s legacy in the quest towards peace-building, equity and global justice.

The volume examines diverse facets of Gandhi?s holistic view of human life ? social, economic and political ? for the creation of a just society. Bringing together expert analyses and reflections, the chapters here emphasise the philosophical and practical urgency of Gandhi's thought and action. They explore the significance of his concepts of truth and nonviolence to address moral, spiritual and ethical issues, growing intolerance, conflict and violence, poverty and hunger, and environmental crisis for the present world.

The volume serves as a platform for constructive dialogue for academics, researchers, policymakers and students to re-imagine Gandhi and his moral and political principles. It will be of great interest to those in philosophy, political studies, Gandhi studies, history, cultural studies, peace studies and sociology.

Foreword by Bhikhu Parekh. Acknowledgements1. Introduction: Understanding Gandhi — Why Gandhi Matters Today? Sanjeev KumarPART I. Gandhian Philosophy: Theoretical Basis and Practical Dimensions 2. Philosophy and Practice: A Gandhi-informed Approach Douglas Allen3. A Conceptual History of Gandhi’s Satyagraha Nishikant Kolge 4. The Scrutinised Life: Gandhi and his Interlocutors Sanghamitra Sadhu PART II. Gandhi and Swaraj 5. Swaraj in Gandhian Perspective: Some Reflections Ramchandra Pradhan 6. Gandhian Swaraj: A Theory of Self-Knowledge Kumar Rahul7. The Different Connotations of Swaraj: Envisioning the Postcolonial Nation in Mahatma Gandhi, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray and Rabindranath Tagore Biswanath Banerjee PART III. Gandhi and Social Justice 8. Modernity, Colonial Injustice and Individual Responsibility: A Study of Gandhi and Ambedkar Vidhu Verma9. The Ambedkar–Gandhi Debate (1931–1956): Alternative Approaches to Memory and Identity Bindu Puri 10. Beyond the "Doctor and the Saint" Controversy: Reassessing Gandhi as a Social Crusader Mustakim Ansary 11. Gandhi and the ‘Race’ Question Hari Nair, Swaha Das and Krishna Akhil Kumar Adavi PART IV. Post-Gandhian Legacy: Issues and Challenges 12. What Can India Learn from Gandhi Today? Antony Copley13. Waiting for the Waves: India against Corruption Movement and the Aam Aadmi Party — Post-Gandhian Legacies Mahendra Prasad Singh14. Gandhi’s Dialogical Truth Force: Applying Satyagraha Models of Practical Rational Inquiry to the Crises of Ecology, Global Governance, and Technology J.Gray Cox 15. Gandhi: An Apostolic Architect of Humanism Anandita Biswas

Sanjeev Kumar is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, Zakir Husain Delhi College, University of Delhi, India. His main teaching and research interests are in the areas of political theory, political sociology of disaster, Gandhian philosophy and peace studies. He has several publications in journals and books to his credit. His most recent edited book is Rajniti Siddhant Ki Samajh (Understanding Political Theory,2019). He has been Research Fellow at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) and Fellow at the Developing Countries Research Centre (DCRC), University of Delhi. Currently, he is also Senior Fellow at the Centre for Ethics, Politics and Global Affairs, New Delhi, India.