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Under the then prevailing circumstances Gandhi had formulated, developed and applied many kinds of political technologies. They can, however, be useful only by a Gandhi-like leader.
Gandhian GPTs can be used by a leader only under certain given conditions:
1. If there is some mega value-problem, such as, realisation of independence, bringing basic changes in society, rooting out widespread evils like corruption, communalism and the like;
2. When there is one or more than two or three leaders, widely known for their high moral character;
3. He or his close kith and kin must not be holding position of power, or should not have express or secret goal to grab power;
4. He must show absolute faith in the efficacy of non-violence as creed or policy and peaceful means and remain willing to undergo travails of all kinds of sufferings; and
5. He must keep himself away from all narrow considerations of class, caste, creed, region, culture and the like.
Classification of GPTs:
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In order to connect GPTs to their general use and objects, it is necessary to classify them. In all, there are approximately fifteen broad forms of GPTs. Out of the available GPTs, some of them like exile or hizrat are considered beyond national and international laws. Their use is now no more constitutionally feasible.
Therefore, they are kept apart. Remaining GPTs are mentioned below:
I. Demonstration
II. Protest March or Rally or padyatra
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III. Picketing or dharna
IV. Burning or giving up symbols of oppression
V. Silence, Prayer, Fasting and Fast Unto Death’
VI. Strike or hartal
VII. Social ostracism
VIII .Spinning Wheel (charkhd)
IX. Boycott
X .No-tax movement
XI. Non-cooperation
XII. Civil Disobedience
XIII. Constructive Programme and ashrams
The GPTs may be put into four groups: A, B, C, D and E. A-Group GPTs, from I to V, reflect protest or opposition on moral grounds. They cause no loss to either party. The B-category GPTs, from VI to VIII, end up in some social reform or achievement: better conditions of work, increase of status or honour, render services to the community, earning bread etc. Group: C GPTs, from IX to XI, are negative, cause loss to other party.
Group: D GPTs- XII, is revolutionary. Group E GPTs-XIII, is both evolutionary and revolutionary. It brings about total change. The GPT of Fasting belongs to Group: A, but it is undertaken by a great leader who goes to the extreme of sacrificing life, the result can be as revolutionary as that of Civil Disobedience.
On the basis of goals and objectives, they can be placed in five groups:
Group A: Demonstrative GPTs from I to V
Group B: Constructive GPTs from VI to VIII
Group C: Alienating GPTs from IX to XI and
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Group D: Revolution-oriented GPTs – XII
Group E: Acceptable GPTs – XIII
All GPTs in their ultimate analysis involve the back up of probable potential power of the people (PPPP) via actual physical power (APPP). PPPP is the possible reactive power of the masses. The adversary or the government is directly concerned with the efficacy, extent, intensity and nature of PPPP. Group A and B GPTs demonstration, picketing, protest march, short term fasting etc. display direct or actual physical power of the people.
Group B and C GPTs not only demonstrate actual physical power of the people (APPP), also put the adversary to financial, administrative, psychological and material loss. Strike and social ostracism may cripple the opponent in a serious manner. Non-cooperation, if it is taken to the extreme, can make the government standstill.
Civil Disobedience is more offensive as it encourages breaking of specific laws leading the people ultimately to take over. When the police (government) begins to beat, crush and imprison the satyagrahis or protestors, confiscate their property or harass the members of their families, they unwittingly invite the wrath of the PPPP of the people. The non-violent movement may turn from defensive to offensive, as it happened in 1942.