People should take inspiration from the ideas of Gandhiji and Karl Marx to bring a desired change in society. Both of them were great thinkers, they shared common ideas like equality, elimination of poverty in society, said E.P. Menon, president of Bangalore-based India Development Foundation.
At a seminar organised by the Atheist Centre on ‘non-violence-social change' to commemorate 36th death anniversary of Gora, here on Tuesday,
Prof. Menon said that Gandhiji believed that social change was possible through non-violence and envisioned a society sans discriminations, uplift of downtrodden and neglected, and elimination of poverty.
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Equal opportunities
Likewise, Karl Marx emphasised on equal opportunities, doing away with personal properties etc. for an ideal society. These ideas were ever inspirational and emulate worthy, he said.
Wardha-based Institute of Gandhian Studies Dean Sibby Joseph, speaking on ‘Gandhi-Gora and Social Change', said that Gora and Gandhi were poles apart with regard to belief in God. But, still they shared some common ideas. Initially, Gandhiji denied that there was no common point to discuss with Gora, who was atheist.
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Gora, however, succeeded in convincing Gandhiji that character was possible even without following a religion, and truth was vital in brining a social change, he said.
“The atheist regards truthfulness as a social necessity. Truth binds man to man in association. Without truth there can be no social organisation. Gandhi's commitment to truth was absolute that is why a spiritual personality like Gandhi asserted before Gora that he is a super atheist.
The duo implemented what they preached.”
Gandhi was great champion of non-violent social change and Gora followed his path. Gora wanted to build a secular society free from social inequalities, he added.
Lavanam of Atheist Centre presided over the meeting. Vijayam, Samaram, Maru and others also spoke.