The Inner Conflict of Tradition: Essays in Indian Ritual, Kingship, and Society c15.s1.51

c15.s1.51

Here, then, it would seem, was the real issue, namely, to develop a workable relationship between state and society. This could obviously not be achieved by the dramatic but ephemeral noncooperation and civil disobedience actions. What was needed was a lasting organizational framework for supralocal, national unity, a framework that could function as an effective counterpart to the state. To this end Gandhi reorganized the Indian National Congress in successive stages during the interbellum period, keeping it attuned to the devolutional reforms of the state.⁵⁴ Though this organizational work was totally unspectacular and therefore easily overlooked, it may well be that this was the field where Gandhi's leadership showed its most important and lasting results.