“If co-operation is a duty, I hold that non-co-operation also under certain conditions is equally a duty.”
- October 2, 1869 – January 30, 1948
- British Indian Empire
- Lawyer, religious leader, social activist, political leader
- As a leader of the Indian independence movement, he advocated non-violent resistance (Satyagraha) and contributed to India’s independence from Britain.
Quote
“If co-operation is a duty, I hold that non-co-operation also under certain conditions is equally a duty.”
Explanation
In this statement, Gandhi highlights the moral flexibility of duty, emphasizing that non-cooperation, as an active form of resistance, can be just as essential as cooperation in certain contexts. He argues that moral principles are not always about blindly following authority or societal norms, but about acting in accordance with justice and truth. Non-cooperation becomes a duty when the system or the cause is unjust, and cooperating with it would mean supporting wrongdoing.
Historically, this philosophy was central to Gandhi’s approach to the Indian independence movement. He recognized that in oppressive systems, particularly under British colonial rule, resistance through non-cooperation (refusing to comply with unjust laws and practices) was a powerful tool for achieving justice. Gandhi viewed non-cooperation not as a refusal to engage with others, but as an affirmative stand against injustice. He called for non-cooperation with tyranny, whether it be political, social, or economic, when it served to uphold oppression.
In modern contexts, this quote suggests that there are times when active resistance—even if it involves withdrawing from participation or engagement—is necessary to protect ethical standards and challenge harmful systems. Whether in politics, social issues, or personal relationships, non-cooperation may be an essential tool when cooperation with harmful forces would perpetuate injustice, thereby serving a higher moral purpose.
