The book/booklet comprises of 20 short chapters and is written in a form of dialogue between the Editor- heavily implied to be Gandhi himself ~ and the Reader, who is evidently modelled on Savarkar, for he is clearly described as a terrorist dedicated to violent action. The Editor answers the Reader‘s questions about British colonialism, the emerging Indian nationalist movement, the kind of civilization that Indian should try to build, and the means they should use to do so.
During his return voyage to South Africa on board S.S. Kildonan Castle, Gandhi wrote his famous book entitled Hind Swaraj or Indian Home Rule ~ having about 30,000 words in Gujarati ~ on the steamer’s stationery within 10 days, in all 270 pages. He wrote at a feverish pitch, the pen racing across the page so quickly that the right hand grew tired, and about fifty pages were written with the left hand.
Books inherently carry ideas; to think that all ideas will appeal or be palatable immediately is to be naïve and ignorant for posterity. Questioning within the generous framework of legality and pushing peacefully to expand its contours is the only way to progress.
The National Register of Citizens encourages disrespect towards others as a naturally driven response for self-preservation, which in a Gandhian way, undermines the essential humanity of those considered 'illegal immigrants'.
