Mahatma Gandhi’s Interview to Unati

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar, Professor, Editor and Linguist

Gandhi International Study and Research Institute, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

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Mahatma Gandhi’s Interview to Unati

 

Q. Inspite of efforts on the part of social reformers, the standard of living of educated communities in Sind has been rising very rapidly; what would you advise under the circumstances?

A. I would advise those who think this are wrong to set an example by living simply and thinking and acting nobly.

Q. Young men believe that unless they are in a position to earn from Rs. 150 to 200 per month, they cannot even think of marriage. At the same time, an ever-increasing number of them keep on imagining that it is legitimate to satisfy sexual instinct in some way or another without undertaking the obligations of married life; how do you view such a mentality?

A. I can only look upon it with shame and deep regret. Such mentality can only lead to suicide. The only cure for it is for young men, who realize the enormity of the evil, to set their faces against it by showing the greatest purity in their own lives and correctness of conduct.

Q. What advice would you give to young girls who have perforce to remain unmarried or who are not in a mood to marry?

A. Such girls should go out of their little communities or even Provinces in search of suitable deserving companions. The sooner we get through the spirit of provincialism and exclusive caste, the better would it be for us. I cannot understand why an educated Amil should be in search of an Amil companion and why he or she should not take a deserving companion from any part of India, the condition being, not selfish gratification of base animal passions, but search after spiritual growth and national advancement.

Q. Would you not advise the Amil girls to break the barriers of Amilism and be prepared to marry any non-Amil be he a Bhaibund or a Bhatia or any other? What are your views on inter marriages between Sindhis and Gujaratis, etc.?

A. Already answered above.

Q. If you hold that “man and woman should be given fullest opportunity for self-expression”, would you advise that young girls and young boys should be given unfettered discretion in mixing or associating with each other, irrespective of parents’ knowledge or control? Also, should girls be allowed to move about as freely as boys do?

A. Most decidedly not. I believe in the middle path. Most boys and girls should be guided and allow themselves to be guided by their parents and guardians and the latter on their part should cherish and promote the independence of their boys and girls who may be under their guardianship or supervision. If the youth of the country will remain pure they should avoid all secretiveness.

Q. It is maintained by the old people that in view of the peculiar conditions obtaining in Sind, it is not safe to discard purdah, but young men are naturally against this system which they regard as highly pernicious. What would you suggest to avoid the clash on this point of difference between the young and the old?

A. I have never believed in the purdah system. I think it is fast going and the girls, who dare to tear the purdah and demonstrate to their neighbours that no harm has befallen them in any way whatever, will be most potent proofs for removing the prejudice or fear. Tearing down the purdah does not mean that girls should wander about anywhere and everywhere. It is the hiding of one’ face in the presence of men which I consider to be so highly injurious to one’s growth or self-expression. Modesty is the best protection and purdah.

Q. What are your views on co-education?

A. I believe in well-regulated and well-thought-out co-education.

 

Reference:

The Bombay Chronicle, 26-10-1933