The Hindu : Front Page : Munna Bhai and his "Gandhigiri" capture

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 27, 2006
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Front Page

Munna Bhai and his "Gandhigiri" capture

Special Correspondent

LUCKNOW: Thanks to the brand new wave of "Gandhigiri" unleashed by the much talked about Bollywood hit "Lage Raho Munna Bhai", the elusive Gandhi "topi" is back in the reckoning here in a big way as non-violent protests sweep the streets of Lucknow.

The Gandhi cap made of pure home-spun khadi, once the traditional headgear of Gandhiites and freedom fighters, had virtually vanished from the scene for long what with fast changing fashion trends, only to make a ritualistic appearance on Gandhi Jayanti Day and at Congress Party conventions. But now with home grown Munna Bhais fast taking to the Gandhian methods of dissent, the Gandhi cap has re-emerged as the popular new symbol of non-violent protest.

In recent days Lucknow has emerged as the epicentre of "Gandhigiri" in Uttar Pradesh. Since this unique form of protest spilt over to the streets, the Gandhi Ashram outlets in the city have recorded a sharp jump in the sale of Gandhi caps. Harbans Rai, Manager of Gandhi Ashram in the posh Hazratganj area here, says that on an average 60 to 70 caps are bought up daily, mostly by young men.

Windfall expected

With another Gandhi Jayanti on October 2 round the corner and "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" firing the imagination of the young in and out of cinema halls, the Gandhi Ashram management is expecting a real windfall. The caps are moderately priced at Rs.30 apiece. After a 10 per cent rebate they are available at Rs.27 apiece.

In the past one week, real-life practitioners of "Gandhigiri" sporting Gandhi caps and carrying roses have registered their protests at King George's Medical University and picketed a liquor shop situated near a temple in a residential locality. These new converts have even avoided ugly situations like the one created by some remarks about Mahatma Gandhi purportedly made by a district official here on Monday while refusing permission for a religious gathering.

Students of Lucknow University also registered a non-violent protest against the Lyngdoh Committee's recommendations relating to student politics and student union election reforms by moving in a peaceful procession to Hazratganj.

Explains Gandhian R. N. Mishra, "The Gandhi cap had gone out of circulation but its importance had not receded. The recent non-violent protests by the youth have reinforced the moral courage that had been inculcated by the Father of the Nation during the freedom struggle. There was a strong message in the protests: Gandhi is still relevant even in today's world."

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