Mahatma Gandhi concept of ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’ is very relevant in establishing world peace. Almost all countries now have plural societies with differences in religion, ethnicity, faith, language and life style. There will not be any peace in the world unless there is peace and harmony among the followers of different faith and tradition.
According to Mahatmaji, all religions have equal status and they are different paths in the same goal of union with the divine, which he described as ‘Sarva Dharma Sambhav’. He said, “For me different religions are beautiful flowers from the same garden or branches of the same majestic tree.” He used to say that he was much of a Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Jain and Parsee as he was a Hindu, and added, “Independent Indian, as conceived by me, will have all Indians belonging to different religions living in perfect friendship.” In all his prayer meetings, verses from Holy Scriptures like Bible and Gita were recited. He always taught that harmony among flowers of different religions is essential for progress of any country.
Mahatma Gandhi won freedom for us employing an innovative mechanism of truth and non-violence. But it would be interesting to find out what Mahatma Gandhi was doing while we were celebrating the Independence Day on 15th August 1947. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Vallabhai Patel could not conceive of an official celebration of Independence Day in the absence of Mahatmaji. They sent a messenger by name Sudhir Ghosh to Calcutta, where Mahatmaji was using his powerful weapon of fast and satyagrahato build peace and harmony between Muslims and Hindus, who were indulged in fighting each other. SudhirGhosh handed over the letter and also explained how Nehruji and Patelji were in a state of anguish about the absence of Mahatmaji at New Delhi in the official celebration of Independence Day. Mahatmaji read the letter and patiently heard SudhirGhosh, then in a low voice Mahatmaji said, “My preference is Calcutta, where Hindus and Muslims are fighting each other. I shall establish peace among them and am prepared to sacrifice my life in that noble venture.” SudhirGhosh had to return to New Delhi to convey what Mahatma Gandhi said.
Mahamaji did establish peace in Bengal and those who were indulged in fratricide were found in mutual embarrassment – that was Mahatma Gandhi.
