Lead, Kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on.
Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
the distant scene; one step enough for me.
— John Henry Newman, 1834
Mahatma Gandhi was greatly influenced by Cardinal Newman’s verses. Gandhi often quoted these lines in his writings:
“For me, I say with Cardinal Newman: ‘I do not ask to see the distant scene; one step enough for me.'”
In the prevailing darkness in the country and the world, Sarva Seva Sangh, the apex Gandhian organization established in 1948, has undertaken a foot march called “One Step with Gandhi” from Rajghat, Varanasi, to Rajghat, New Delhi.
It commenced on October 2, 2025, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The foot march is an affirmation of faith in Gandhi’s nonviolence and its perennial significance in bringing about social transformation.
Symbolic Journey and Historical Significance
The selection of the sites for the beginning of the foot march and its culmination in November was symbolic. Both places are linked with Gandhian heritage.
Though the headquarters of Sarva Seva Sangh is at Sevagram, Wardha, it was from Rajghat, Varanasi, that the publication wing of the organization was operating. The headquarters at Rajghat, Varanasi, was described as Sadhana Bhavan or House of Spirituality
for Gandhians.
The history is that the organization had purchased 13 acres of land for its activities through three registered sale deeds in 1960, 1961, and 1970. It was a hub of activities for the dissemination of Gandhian values and principles.
This historic heritage premise was bulldozed by the administration in August 2023, claiming that the land belonged to the Railways.
From Satyagraha to Padyatra
Against this action, the Sarva Seva Sangh organized a 100-day Satyagraha, “Light the Lamps of Justice,” from September 11 (Vinoba Bhave Jayanti) to December 19, 2024, in front of the premises of Rajghat, Varanasi.
In the closing ceremony of the Satyagraha, the announcement of this foot march was made. The final destination is Rajghat, New Delhi, the iconic spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated on January 31, 1948, following his assassination.
Spirit of the Marchers
The spirit of the marchers is highly remarkable. This year, October 2 coincided with Vijayadashami or Dussehra, the day on which Lord Rama triumphed over Ravana. The marchers tried to convey the message of love and nonviolence, giving up the commemoration of the observance of the day in their homes.
I was reminded of Vijayadashami day, October 24, 1909, when M. K. Gandhi and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar shared a stage in a subscription dinner at an Indian restaurant in London.
Gandhi, in his presidential address, extolled the virtues of Rama and used it as a platform to tell the uselessness of violence for securing reform and underlined the importance of suffering for the attainment of freedom.
On the other hand, Savarkar drew a different lesson from Ramayana. Rama, he proclaimed, established the ideal kingdom only after slaying Ravana, the symbol of oppression and injustice. He praised the virtues of Goddess Durga as a destroyer of evil, an allegory for his militant approach to gaining independence.
Reaffirming Gandhian Ideals
The marchers represent the Gandhian ideology of nonviolence against those forces that believe in violence and spreading the venom of polarization in the current Indian scenario. The marchers celebrated Diwali in the same spirit, kindling the light of love and harmony.
Chandan Pal, President of Sarva Seva Sangh, expressed happiness in the progress of the march and the warm welcome it receives everywhere. He pointed out that the younger generation, especially students studying in universities and colleges, are participating in this march.
Goals of the Foot March
The declared goals of this foot march are:
- Preserving Gandhian heritage
- Promoting goodwill
- Preserving democracy
- Safeguarding the Constitution
Arvind Anjum of Sarva Seva Sangh said,
“Today, our democracy and Constitution are in danger. This padyatra symbolizes the struggle against that dictatorial power. When this march succeeds, the success will belong to the Constitution, democracy, and harmony.”
The march will conclude on November 26, 2025, covering approximately 1,000 kilometers with a total span of 56 days.
About the Author
Dr. Siby K. Joseph is a noted Gandhian scholar and writer engaged in research and training on nonviolence and peace across the globe.
