How Swami Vivekananda Gave a New Dimension to the Indian Freedom Movement
Swami Who Solved India's Struggle
In the annals of Indian history, Swami Vivekananda stands tall as a torchbearer of the Indian freedom movement, inspiring generations of freedom fighters with his powerful speeches and teachings. Like the French Revolution, which was ignited by the ideas of Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, India's own struggle for freedom was catalysed by this revered spiritual leader.
On the occasion of the 160th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, it is important to reflect on the profound contributions he made to the Indian freedom struggle. Swami Vivekananda, born on January 12, 1863, was a spiritual leader, philosopher, and cultural reformer who played a significant role in shaping the nationalist movement in India during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
When Vivekananda arrived on the national scene, India was reeling from centuries of colonisation and exploitation. Its political and economic power had been stripped away, and its people had lost touch with their rich cultural heritage and past. But Vivekananda was determined to change this. He reminded Indians of their proud traditions and encouraged them to reclaim their identity.
This message was brought to the world stage in September 1893, when Vivekananda delivered a powerful speech at the Parliament of World's Religions in Chicago. In that address, he declared that "Mother India will attain independence," and his words had a profound impact on both the Western world's perception of India, and on the way Indians viewed themselves. The speech is still remembered today as one of the most powerful and influential of the 19th century.
Vivekananda also brought the idea of Hinduism to America, and his audience was impressed by his speech, which is still talked about and discussed to this date. His explanation of Hinduism, a concept that was not well-understood by Westerners at the time, introduced new ideals and concepts that continue to fascinate people to this day.
Biman Behari Majumdar, a leading socio-political historian of his era, writes that Swami Vivekananda's triumphant return from his first Western tour in 1897 marked a turning point in the history of nationalism in India. In a speech given in Madras on February 14th, 1897, Vivekananda called on his fellow Indians to worship the motherland alone and exclusively for the next fifty years, urging them to "give up being a slave." As Majumdar notes, it was exactly fifty years later, on February 23rd, 1947, that Major Attlee, the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, announced the decision to quit India.
Vivekananda's words had a powerful impact on the freedom fighters of his era, many of whom kept his photo or books close at hand. The British government even described him as a "tough politician" who took cover in saffron robes. Even Mahatma Gandhi, who went on to become a central figure in India's freedom struggle, credited Vivekananda with inspiring him, stating that "I got a thousand times more energy after I read Swami Vivekananda's books."
Swami Vivekananda was born on January 12th, 1863, and passed away on July 4th, 1902. His spiritual mentor was Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, and Vivekananda credited much of his understanding of God and spirituality to him. He went on to spread this knowledge across India and the world. Though he died at a young age of 39, his teachings and influential quotes have earned him immortality.
Girish Linganna
Defence and Aerospace Analyst
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Telangana Urdu daily publishes blank editorial in protest against Congress government
Hyderabad: Telangana-based Urdu daily The Munsif Daily has published a blank editorial in protest against the Congress-led state government's alleged decision to freeze government advertisements. The newspaper claims it is being targeted for its critical coverage of the government's shortcomings.
Comparing the move to the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in the 1970s, the daily accused the Congress government, led by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, of attempting to suppress press freedom.
A Congress spokesperson told NDTV that the government had reduced spending on newspaper advertisements and that it was the government's prerogative to decide whom to support.
In a statement, *Munsif* Executive Editor Ather Moin said the newspaper had reported on communal unrest under the Congress rule, highlighting police failures and the state's inaction. It covered issues such as the demolition of an abandoned mosque in Chilkur, the removal of dupattas from minority schoolgirls' uniforms, and the government's failure to protect Waqf properties. The daily also raised concerns about delayed salaries for imams and muezzins, non-payment of stipends for divorced women, and the absence of a Muslim representative in the Telangana cabinet.
"If the Revanth government expects us to convince our readers that Telangana has turned into a land of milk and honey under Congress rule, then that is something we cannot do," the statement read. "Instead, we shall continue to ask: Why have lands turned barren? Why has starvation forced the poor to the brink? Why have helpless daughters been violated?"
The editorial also criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, recalling his 2023 statement in Washington about press freedom being under threat in India. It claimed that while several Urdu newspapers had criticised the Modi government without facing ad revocations, the Congress government in Telangana was punishing Munsif for its reportage.
"In 1975, Indira Gandhi tried to silence the press—and failed. Today, her party is repeating history. But let it be known: The pen is still mightier than the sword. Journalism in India will not be silenced," the statement added.
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