The UK Insults the Memory of Gandhi

Region: ,
Theme:

George Osborne, in India to meet Narendra Modi, the country’s recently elected prime minister, has announced that a statue of Mohandas K. Gandhi – “father of democratic India” will be erected in Parliament Square. 

True, there is a more active democracy in India, with regard to voter turnout and respect for the grievances of the poorest when expressed en masse, than in England – but conditions in both countries make a mockery of Gandhi’s teachings: frugality, honesty, self-sufficiency, satisfying and worthwhile employment for all – qualities and opportunities notably lacking in both countries today.

Gandhi – a leading figure in the Indian movement for independence – would have vigorously opposed the ambitions of the growing number of western officials in New Delhi, noted by the Financial Times, who are seeking to establish formal contacts with Mr Modi’s new administration, ‘amid revived global interest in India and its economic and strategic prospects’.

Another wave of the imperialism against which Gandhi struggled

What is this visit about? One aim is to persuade India to import as much as possible, with the most important proposal being, in Osborne’s words, a financial partnership – with London playing a leading role as a gateway for Indian firms to access global capital markets.

gandhi noteThe writer often wondered what Gandhi would have said to the placing of his picture on India’s banknotes – but that reaction would have been mild compared with his response to the proposals from foreign ambassadors currently on the table.

Gandhi the peace-builder would not welcome imported armaments and jet fighter planes

Ambassadors Hague and Osborne are among visitors from several countries representing the interests of arms manufacturers hoping to redress India’s ‘shortfall’ in spending on importing weapons, about £3.5bn last year, which is – in their opinion – a fraction of its genuine requirement.

Just what the people of India need?

A consortium, including BAE Systems the British defence company, is hoping to secure the sale of its Eurofighter Typhoon jets to India – if its French competitor Dassault fails to secure the contract. But India has the expertise and resources to conduct its own financial affairs, defend its own country, produce its own goods and feed its own people.

The new prime minister can develop this potential – or India can become just another market for imported goods and services.


Articles by: CHS-SACHETAN

Disclaimer: The contents of this article are of sole responsibility of the author(s). The Centre for Research on Globalization will not be responsible for any inaccurate or incorrect statement in this article. The Centre of Research on Globalization grants permission to cross-post Global Research articles on community internet sites as long the source and copyright are acknowledged together with a hyperlink to the original Global Research article. For publication of Global Research articles in print or other forms including commercial internet sites, contact: [email protected]

www.globalresearch.ca contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available to our readers under the provisions of "fair use" in an effort to advance a better understanding of political, economic and social issues. The material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving it for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material for purposes other than "fair use" you must request permission from the copyright owner.

For media inquiries: [email protected]