Gandhi’s comprehensive plan of national regeneration, which he named the constructive programme, aimed at establishing a social order, based on truth and non-violence. He wanted to abolish the exploitation of man by man, in any shape or form. Through these programmes, he tried to touch many spheres of life, and many of them encompass more than one field of life, i.e., economic, political and social.
Constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Non-Cooperation Movement.
1. For Gandhi, Khadi is the sun of the village solar system and other village industries are the planets. In order to make the villages self-reliant, the development of both the industries is essential as they are interdependent.
2. Gandhi ji presented Khadi as a symbol of nationalism, economic freedom, equality and self-reliance.
3. In Gandhi’s scheme of constructive programme, prohibition was a vital social and moral reform. Gandhi attached much importance to this because the people in villages and cities would be incapable of moral effort which was necessary for Satyagraha unless they were free from the grip of intoxicants.
Constructive programmes of Mahatma Gandhi during Civil Disobedience Movement.
1. Volunteers promoting use of Khadi provided ground workers & support during CDM.
2. During Civil Disobedience Movement, constructive programme kept up the spirit of people in wake of disappointment due to suspension of movement.
3. Constructive work expanded the reach of the national movement across caste and class barriers.
4. Gandhi ji held that untouchability was a blot and curse upon Hinduism. For this, he started the Harijan newspaper to explain his ideas to people.
Gandhian ideologies shaped the creation of institutions and practices where the voice and perspective of everyone can be articulated, tested and transformed. Also, his emphasis on political tolerance and religious pluralism holds relevance in contemporary Indian politics.