When Ghandi practiced swaraj, aka self-governance, or home-rule, he made cloth and salt so that India could become independent of Britain. This dude hasn’t created an alternative like Ghandi did, he’s simply demanding that one use of space get appropriated for another carte blanche. All he’s made is a bunch of trash outside the government offices and a lot of angry commuters.

If he really wanted to help, he’d take a positive approach: organize neighborhood cleanups, build a bridge over major roads, advocate for bike paths in certain areas. Instead of dividing the streets into competing interests, he should work to create an environment where people take ownership of the streets. If people were truly inspired by Ghandi, they’d take it upon themselves to clean the streets, hopefully sticking to inanimate objects rather than throwing out people.

It’s no doubt that India’s streets are strewn with every moving thing on earth, machine to animal, and maybe a little designation between uses would clear up congestion. A plan made by multiple stakeholders for an integrated network of paths, streets, trails, and rails could be the beginning of a more efficient transportation network. This would alleviate climate change and make a more pedestrian friendly environment.

In reality, I think the dude is just jealous that he doesn’t have a car. If he did, I’m sure he’d be pissed at any pedestrian blocking his route. When you’re in a car, you hate the peds, when you’re walking, you hate cars, and when you’re biking, you hate everybody but yourself. Its a fact of life. I doubt the dude’s anger will get anyone anywhere positive.