Constitution not merely a legal document, but a book that carries wisdom and values of India: Rahul Gandhi

The Indian Constitution is not merely a post-independence legal document, but a book that carries the wisdom and values of India, Leader of the Opposition at the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said here on Friday. Inaugurating a public meeting organised by the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies (RGIDS) and the Sivagiri Madhom to mark the centenary of the meeting between Mahatma Gandhi and Sree Narayana Guru, he discussed how the moral strength and humility of these two leaders continue to define the ideals of the Constitution.

Observing that their shared philosophy of truth serves as a vital antidote to the modern climate of political aggression and hatred, he urged the crowd to move beyond symbolic gestures and to genuinely practice the wisdom and direction provided by these spiritual and political icons. He also noted that the essence of the Constitution—centered on love, respect, and the protection of the weak—directly mirrors the philosophy of the Guru.

‘Simplicity of dialogue’

Reflecting on the encounter between the two “giants” a century ago, Mr. Gandhi marvelled at the profound simplicity of their dialogue. He noted that while modern interactions among the powerful are often marred by ego and arrogance, the meeting between Gandhi and the Guru was defined by a humility that made their message of truth and non-violence easy for the common person to grasp, even 100 years later.

The Congress leader drew direct parallels between Guru’s teachings and the legal framework of modern India. He shared a poignant anecdote from Guru’s life regarding a theft at the Ashram. When disciples discovered that mangoes had been stolen and called the police to punish the thief, Guru reacted with unexpected compassion. “Guru suggested there must have been a hidden reason for the theft and that the man required guidance, not a beating,” he recounted. He linked this directly to the spirit of the law, stating, “The Constitution says do not crush those who are weaker than you; give space to every single being. This is exactly what Sree Narayana Guru taught.”

On moral authority

Distinguishing between power and force, Mr. Gandhi pointed to Mahatma Gandhi’s battle against the British as a definitive example, noting that Gandhi drew inspiration from figures like Sree Narayana Guru. He argued that while the British possessed the physical force and systemic structures to imprison or kill, they were devoid of moral authority. In contrast, he stated, Gandhi and Guru possessed an inner, moral strength that no empire could break. Despite having no material wealth, Guru was the most powerful man of his era, Mr. Gandhi observed, adding that this same spirit of non-violence is the sole path to enduring victory.

Discussing Guru’s biography and the translated verses of his Daiva Dashakam, Mr. Gandhi noted how seamlessly the reformer’s ideals align with the spirit of India. He drew a sharp contrast between the prayer’s plea to be guided from darkness toward the light of knowledge and the current state of global affairs. He further observed that India’s political environment now presents a clear choice between two paths: one defined by truth, humility, and non-violence, and the other by anger, hatred, and aggression. “Today, in both politics and international relations, there is a retreat from knowledge toward darkness,” he remarked, lamenting a world where the desire to understand others has been replaced by an impulse to “bomb and kill.” Sachidananda Swami, president, Sivagiri Madhom, presided and K.C. Venugopal, MP, delivered the keynote address.