On Sunday, Sept. 7, Professor of Religious Studies Ishwar Harris organized a trip to Cleveland to see Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi’s grandson Rajmohan Gandhi speak at the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. Many of the students who attended are currently enrolled in Harris’ class, “The Life and Thought of Gandhi.”
Rajmohan, a journalist, political activist, orator and biographer had been in Cleveland with his wife Usha all weekend giving speeches, making a television appearance, signing books and planting a tree at the India Cultural Garden.
Cleveland Mayor Frank G. Jackson presented Rajmohan with a key to the city. Trustees of the Federation of India Association were present, as well as other Indians, to witness the honorable transaction, attend the reception and book signing after service and listen to Rajmohan speak.
Rajmohan talked about the connections between “Mahatma” Mohandas K. Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. He discussed the nonviolence and unity each of these men promoted, as well as his own hope that these similarities would encourage nonviolent cooperation between the African-American community and the mostly Indian Gandhian community. Olivet is a predominantly African-American church, making Rajmohan’s points especially relevant.
Rajmohan went on to point out that Sept. 11 is once again approaching, and that while over the years the anniversary of the 2001 attacks has triggered sadness and concern about terrorism, in the United States most people have not asked themselves, “Why are people angry with us?”
He explained that he sees this as an important question to ask because when ill will and violence are perpetuated and not solved, it leads to more terrorism, an idea that resonates Mohandas’ belief that if a cause is failing, there must be a problem within the movement or its leaders.
After Rajmohan spoke, Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. delivered a sermon that never specifically mentioned Mohandas Gandhi but greatly reflected his teachings. Moss referred to Paul’s letter in Corinthians, “When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things” (13:11).
He then made the connection that we all must grow up spiritually, which includes outgrowing violence. He reasoned that segregation occurs in the United States because people have not grown up, and that growing spiritually means embracing harmony and peace and practicing nonviolence.
Moss then described this growth process on a long-term scale, saying that there was a time when man was violent and primitive, a time when man sought an eye for an eye, and finally a time when people like Martin Luther King, Jr., Mohandas Gandhi and Jesus could see past violent ideals and teach tolerance and peace.
After the service, Rajmohan and his wife greeted and chatted with Harris and the Wooster students. Harris asked Rajmohan what he thought Mohandas’ message to the students would be if he were alive today and in attendance at the event.
Rajmohan replied that in this modern age when there are so many different viewpoints and opinions on any subject, it is not important to think about what Mohandas Gandhi would do or say in a situation. Rather, it is important to listen to your own conscience and mind, and follow the guidance they give you.
Mohandas Gandhi believed that human beings are generally good, and that the truth mortals can obtain is relative, so he likely would have approved of his grandson’s response.