Constructive Programme and Civil Disobedience Movement
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Published: 28th Dec, 2019
The Constructive Programme was Gandhi's method for the regeneration of swaraj by engaging each and every unit of society irrespective of caste, creed or race and for developing a constitutive and necessary part of the civil disobedience movement.
He believed that there is no need for civil disobedience if we sincerely involve ourselves in the Constructive Programmes.
Constructive Programme and Civil Disobedience will go hand in hand. It connects to the people in need. Civil Disobedience, on the other hand, will mobilise the people to resist the unjust practices. Therefore, constructive programme is the training ground for civil disobedience
Many modern nonviolent movements pay little or no attention to Constructive Programme. Many a time they focus their energy on non-cooperation and Civil Disobedience.
Unless we connect with the people and their issues, it is very difficult to mobilise the masses at the time of resistance. The development of voluntary sector in India is also the outcome of Gandhi's constructive programme.
Production By Masses, Not Mass Production
In capitalistic countries the population irrespective of their development stage, are to some extent reaping the fruits of industrialisation driven by liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation (LPG).
Although most economists argue for market economy, unsustainable growth is a big concern among many.
However, there are some who have raised voice against majority-supported discourse of ‘endless growth’.
They have been arguing about ‘limits to growth’ with renewed rigour. The fundamental issue is the ownership over natural resources. The countries that are technologically advanced have always been taking a domineering position since the time of industrialisation.
Gandhi’s Swadeshi may offer new insight and possible solution under these circumstances.