Gandhi-giri in Full Bloom

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Remember Lage Raho Munnabhai? This fall, it seems that many civic-minded Indians are taking the Gandhian techniques shown in the film and applying them to real-life problems and protests, with the demand for accountability from government officials being the most common application. Instead of Bandhs and riots, in the past couple of months protesters have been sending flowers and doing Pujas, hoping that people whose work shows signs of negligence and incompetence will “get better soon.” Here are some of the examples of “Gandhi-giri” I came across in a quick search:

And those are just a few examples; more are given in this recent Boston Globe article. My cousins in Delhi tell me that elderly people are stripping off clothes (this is directly out of Lage Raho Munnabhai) to shame government officials in charge of pensions to actually disburse their funds. And there are stories about pavement dwellers, in response to trash flagrantly dropped where they live by thoughtless passers-by, cheerfully (but pointedly) cleaning it up — again right out of the film.

It’s not all good, of course. Vidhu Vinod Chopra is reportedly using his own invention to lobby the government of Gujarat to give his film tax-free status, which it already has in many other states. That seems a bit much; “Gandhi-giri” may well just be this year’s fashion, which will get old as soon as other super-rich people start using it to demands perks and privileges.

Gandhi-giri: flash in the pan, or a sign of a real revival in non-violent civic engagement amongst Indians of all classes?

40 thoughts on “Gandhi-giri in Full Bloom”

  1. Great post, Amardeep. Rang De Basanti and Lage Raho Munnabhai form an interesting pair of bookends for the year, eh? Fascinating to compare and contrast their respective visions of achieving social change in contemporary India….

  4. Sorry, I guess I thought people got the general idea. Here is a definition from the Boston Globe article:

    In the movie, titled “Lage Raho Munna Bhai,” gangster Munna Bhai meets Gandhi and instead of indulging in his usual “dadagiri,” meaning bullying, he endorses Gandhi’s teachings of non-violence and battles with his enemy by giving him flowers, rather than punches.

    “Gandhigiri,” a term coined by the movie and a play on the word “dadagiri,” means to use moral force and kindness to make a point or fight injustice. College students in Lukhnow, who in the past held many violent protests, decided this year to practice “Gandhigiri” and pass out flowers instead of screaming angry words. On a smaller level, Reuters India reported that a girl, Shweta Polanki, broke up with her boyfriend when he made whistling noises to get the attention of a waiter, a gesture that is belittling and disrespectful, according to “Gandhigiri.”

    Elsewhere in India, thieves who stole goods from a poor man decided to return them after watching this movie. The governments in many states have declared the movie tax-free, so moviegoers will not be charged tax when buying a ticket, and the leader of the Congress party, the ruling party in India, has urged members to watch the film.

  5. Gandhigiri sounds like a good strategy to get people of your back.

    If a airport security personnel checks you up for “random” inspection, then instead of making a face or showing your displeasure, one should be overeager to get checked, insisting that the personnel check their watch, their great grandfather’s pictures, their “I love Bush” tattoo in unmentionable places and their personal brouhaha. This will make the security personnel wary of brown folks flashing their stuff at them and eager to actively avoid browns whenever, wherever they are.

  9. Kush: What do you think 786 means?

    I am paying homage to movie Deewar.

    Bachchan is the star as Vijay, the Angry Young Man. His ascent through the organized crime underworld is enabled in spite — not because of — his life as a dock worker. If anything, he is blessed with supreme luck thanks to his necklace embossed with the Muslim gematric “786.

    ”

    Isn’t 786 = Bismillah Here is a link from frequent commenter, filmiholic.

  10. Kush: I am sorry, I should have phrased my questioned better. I was not putting you on the witness stand but was curious as to how many people are aware of this ‘786’ thing.

    Thanks for your information about the movie.

    Uses of the Abjad system

    In early Islamic times, these numbers were used by mathematicans. In modern Arabic, they are primarily used for numbering small quantities, such as items in a list. They are also used to assign numerical values to Arabic words for purposes of numerology. Example: The common Islamic phrase بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم bi-smi-llaahi r-rahmaani r-rahiim (“in the name of God, the merciful, the compassionate” – see Basmala) would have a nominal value of 786 (from a letter-by-letter cumulative value of 2+60+40 + 1+30+30+5 + 1+30+200+8+40+50 + 1+30+200+8+10+40)

    Btw 786 is a uniquely desi muslim thing and as far as I know other Muslims do not place any emphasis on this number. The hardline deobandi scholars in South Asia believe that the usage of 786 is a bidah (a religious innovation) and have advocated against the popular use of 786.

    Not all Muslims place emphasis on this numerological analysis, but some Muslims in South Asia use the number 786 as an Islamic symbol, and some Muslim scholars and groups (such as the “Qur’an-only” Submitters) consider it to be religiously significant.
  11. Btw 786 is a uniquely desi muslim thing and as far as I know other Muslims do not place any emphasis on this number.

    Many of my muslim friends at school, esp. the smartest ones, started off their exam answer books after inscribing 786 in the top margin of every page. The Hindus (incl. me sometimes) started out with the ‘OMs’ or other symbols of devotion (and desperation)! The girls, of course, were irreligious when it came to sanctifying their answer books :). And they did better, on average.

  12. Numerology is prohibited in Islam. Some people have introduced this in Islam by giving some numbers to Arabic letters. Our innocent Muslims believe that this is also part of Islam. Islam is the true religion of Allah. He perfected His religion in all aspects. No one can introduce any new thing in the religion.

    The number 786 means 786 and nothing more! Some people believe, that giving numerology numbers to the Arabic letters of “Bismillah…” then adding all these number will be equal to “786”. So writing this number is equal to writing “Bismillah…”. This is the belief of ignorant people, and they do not know what is real Islam.

  13. Thanks Farah for enlightening us. Please do tell us more about the PERFECTest religion. BTW is God gonna release a new version of religion anytime soon? Just asking because HE obviously left lots of bugs in earlier versions of Religion.

  15. Thanks Farah for enlightening us. Please do tell us more about the PERFECTest religion. BTW is God gonna release a new version of religion anytime soon? Just asking because HE obviously left lots of bugs in earlier versions of Religion.

    Kafir…impressive..that you kept your cool in your response!!

    Quite sensational!!…PERFECT religion..in “ALL” aspects???

    Am I Dreaming?….

  16. i just read your post just as i was watching lage raho munnabhai. What irony.

    I personally like the movie because it brings Mahatma Gandhi in the spotlight.

  17. Islam is the true religion of Allah. He perfected His religion in all aspects. No one can introduce any new thing in the religion.

    Unfortunately, God didn’t institute the same ban on change in the world-at-large.

    But with regards to the post, this definitely seems like a form of progress to me. There’s something to be said for shaming people into behaving properly. I’m waiting for commenters to try that whole “non-violent civil disobedience is irrelevant / stupid / useless” bit that happens from time to time.

  18. One more instance of ‘Gandhigiri’…. It seems that Indians on orkut have started sending “Get Well Soon” scraps to members of anti-India communities.

    A major change from the abusive scraps that were left before ‘Gandhigiri’ took over.

  19. Please read my critique of all the instances of Gandhigiri listed on this post in my blog. (Here)

    This recent flick ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ is being lauded for popularising Gandhian thought. But really, if you see instances of ‘Gandhi-giri’, it wouldn’t take you much time to acknowledge that these pseudo-Gandhians have got it all wrong. They have but a weak understanding of Gandhian philosophy, but still have no qualms in adopting his style of protest. This is just the normal politics dressed as Gandhianism. This has in fact been going on for many years now. Satyagrahas by politicians, for whom lying is an occupation. How many of those have we seen! What is it but a parody?

  20. If Gandhigiri translates into greater participation of civil society in challenging illegitimate power, whether it be the state power,bureaucracy, corporate tyranny or even local goondas and the like, I guess its a healthy development. But this apparently value-neutral exercise of mass-action has to be well thought out.Not all these actions are as value-neutral as they look. A recent Gandhigiri advocate ranted..who needs the bandhs/hartals and wanted to stop them.Well, for starters, we should admit that political parties do remain the largest source of mass action in the country and for a higher legitimacy of cause if not morals, such advocates have to clearly justify how bandhs/hartals do not help anyone. This shouldnt be another middle class reactionary tool like the Youth for Equality protests. The space for innovative protests do remain, with everyone free to mobilize support to their casue and wanting desired effects.But the distinction between mobilizing support and claiming to support of masses apriori is important.

  21. Farah

    He perfected His religion in all aspects. No one can introduce any new thing in the religion.

    Now if only SpoorLam would make an appearance, ….

  22. On a smaller level, Reuters India reported that a girl, Shweta Polanki, broke up with her boyfriend when he made whistling noises to get the attention of a waiter, a gesture that is belittling and disrespectful, according to “Gandhigiri.”

    Love it. Obviously this is important.

    BTW is God gonna release a new version of religion anytime soon? Just asking because HE obviously left lots of bugs in earlier versions of Religion.

    Hahaha right on. I think we need a updated bug free version of pretty much all of them.

    This has in fact been going on for many years now. Satyagrahas by politicians, for whom lying is an occupation. How many of those have we seen! What is it but a parody?

    KRC I’m with you on the skepticism. Perhaps I’m too jaded to think that a “nice” & “mild” way of dealing with the bureaucratic bullshit in India is going to get nothing accomplished. Shaming the politicians? Ha! As if…

  25. Elsewhere in India, thieves who stole goods from a poor man decided to return them after watching this movie. The governments in many states have declared the movie tax-free, so moviegoers will not be charged tax when buying a ticket, and the leader of the Congress party, the ruling party in India, has urged members to watch the film.

    Everyone who thinks that movies are “just a movie” and say they have no power to influence should read this a few times. And it’s easy to dismiss it as an extreme case, which I agree it is extreme, but certain attitudes and perceptions are changed every day without people even knowing it.

  26. I too want to know more about the perfect religion. Will the bestest of best punjabi women covet me if I turn outfidel?

    maybe not. but you do get a $hitlo@d of v!rgins after you d!e, taking down hundresds of innocents !nfidels with you.

  27. Perhaps I’m too jaded to think that a “nice” & “mild” way of dealing with the bureaucratic bullshit in India …

    Bureacracy like everything else is not a monolith. There is a suprising amount of stuff you can accomplish just by asking. Too bad we don’t have bureaucrats blogging about their perspective. In a democracy buck stops with the people. Anything which lessens cynicism is welcome.

  28. Sunanda kumar Dutta-Ray in The Pioneer (he moved there recently)

    Cinema’s legendary SS Vasan once told me a successful film should have something for the heart, something for the ears, something for the eyes and a little for the mind. Bengali films flopped, Vasan claimed (this was in the sixties), because there was too much for the brain and not enough to see, hear and feel. Films from Bombay – no Mumbai or even Bollywood then – catered to the heart and even more lavishly for the ears and eyes, but offered little food for thought. If Lage Raho Munnabhai is any guide, the formula hasn’t changed. If “there is no such thing as Gandhism” as the Mahatma himself claimed, how can there be Gandhigiri? Etymological similarity with dadagiri and goondagiri offers an explanation. The craze is an astute creation of commercial salesmanship. A less profiteering form of Gandhigiri among English liberals prompted a verse in that Bible of the fashionable left, the New Statesman and Nation, “Hitler with his Brown Shirts, riding for a fall Mussolini with his Black Shirts, back against the wall De Valera with his Green Shirts, caring not at all, Three cheers for Mahatma Gandhi, with no shirt at all.” It would be grossly unfair to dismiss the reportedly 43,870 Gandhian groups worldwide as people with an eye on the main chance. But it is entirely appropriate that today’s enthusiasts should focus not on Gandhi’s concept of the village but on the fun and frolic of a paunchy, ageing bleary-eyed “hero” of the Hindi screen. Rajkumar Hirani’s preposterously unreal but hilariously funny fantasia only demonstrates how easily Indians are moved by tear-jerking sentiment amidst the splurge of song, dance and colour that is Bollywood at its best.

  30. Sorry about the double post. The entire post is from Dutta-Roy not only the bracketed text.

    786 is a symbol of syncreticism in Indian movies. Till about a 150 years ago in Northern India you had Ghalib writing in Vedantic tones, pandit’s children beginning their education in Persian with a maulvi (as did Rajendra Prasad), and people greeting each other with Ram-Ram (seen Garam Hawa?) or Salaam Ailakum or Sat Sri Akal, in consideration of the other’s sentiments. So too in the South where the wandering fakir prays to Allah for your children and hands over a taabiz with 786 on it, if you are Hindu. Chiranjeevi acted in a Telugu movie titled Qaidi #786

  31. Hey this is great! I think I’ve been bit by the Gandhi-giri after I saw that movie. While I’m not out to make any large social changes or move bureaucrats or take off my clothes ;-), I do believe in making small changes in my own life – i.e., how I handle confrontations and issues at work or personally. It puts things in perspective when you look at two options – the “violent” and the “nonviolent”.

    While some posters think it’s not an accurate portrayal of Gandhian philosophy – sure, it’s a movie. But it gives one a taste of it and hopefully they’ll want to learn more (I’ve been browsing http://www.mkgandhi.org for his philosophies and writings)

  33. Gandhigiri is just the latest fad. Perfect for lazyass people like me to show that we care while being hip. Real social change takes lot of sacrifice over decades. But if it has worked for some people, more power to it.

  34. Given the impact this film has had, it is a very fortunate thing that Gandhi II did not see wide release within India!! 😉

    There is only one law. His law.

  35. Its so interesting that des totally seems to have taken up gandhigiri. If it was reported for one instance, I’d think it a corner case. But its at least a nation-wide flash in the pan. I think desis in des are desperately looking for a non-violent way to getting someone to act, and as soon as they see something that could potentially work, its full-speed ahead. Stuff that shows violence as the solution doesn’t seem to get the same treatment by the public (for the better).

    But I don’t think its going to be effective medium term. The babudom may have been blind-sided by gandhigiri, but be sure it is fast developing immunity to it. Another couple of months and you’ll read seniors stripping at pension-disbursement offices and babus putting on cabaret music.

    The real change is hard-assed – you vote shit out of office, and have courage to stand for public office and take shit or worse, be killed for your belief in betterment of society by personal leardership. This is largely missing and one billion people are paying the price for it.

  37. RDB and LRM both these movies have raise the standards for bollywood. Crap like Krrish, Fanaa and KANK should be banned!

  38. I’ve read some of Gandhi’s writings and he had alot of good ideas and his basic premise was a very good one.

    He did work for the upliftment of women in India, but his ideas on how a woman should deal in a possible rape situation was ludicrous, though very much a product of his time.

    He asserted that no man would dare violate a woman who was willing to give up her life to save her own honor. Her purity would be able to change his heart.

    Hello?! We’re talking about real live human rapists here, not Ravanas approaching Sitas in the palace courtyard for wooing.

  39. Listening to our resident IllHindu at the moment on NPR (www.wnyc.org) talk about exactly this…Gandhigiri and the music from Lage Raho Munnabhai. I hope Siddhartha will come back and comment a bit about this 🙂

  40. The real change is hard-assed – you vote shit out of office, and have courage to stand for public office and take shit or worse, be killed for your belief in betterment of society by personal leardership. This is largely missing and one billion people are paying the price for it.

    Stop scaring people. There is a whole lot of things you could do which donot involved dying,sacrifice. If country hasn’t gone to dogs, it is because people have been making those sacrifices. It is upto you to join them or sit back and complain. You heard about the RTI ? Why not spread the word about it Or Protest its dilution ? Or donate money to people who do such work. Better still USE IT. Join the mutiny.