Truth Knows no Color

• 17 Jan 2026

In 1893, a young Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was thrown out of a train compartment at Pietermaritzburg railway station in South Africa because of the color of his skin. That moment of humiliation was more than a personal insult; it was a revelation – a flash of truth that human dignity transcends race and prejudice. That event awakened Gandhi as a moral force that would later shake the foundations of colonialism through Satyagraha. His experience reminds humanity that while prejudice paints divisions, truth itself knows no color. The phrase “Truth knows no color” is both moral and universal. It asserts that truth, justice, and morality are not bound by race, caste and creed. It belongs equally to all and stands above all human distinctions. To understand its essence, one must explore its philosophical, historical, social, scientific, and contemporary dimensions that shape its meaning and relevance.

Philosophy has long held that truth is universal and impartial. Immanuel Kant’s deontological ethics posits that moral duties must be guided by universal principles, not personal interests or external distinctions. For Kant, truth and moral law apply equally to all rational beings – thus “truth knows no color.” In the Indian philosophical tradition, the Upanishads declare “Satyameva Jayate” – Truth alone triumphs. The concept of Rita in the Vedas refers to the cosmic order sustained by truth, unaffected by social or material distinctions. Lord Buddha’s Middle Path and Mahavira’s Anekantavada (many-sided truth) both affirm that truth transcends human prejudices and relative identities. Mahatma Gandhi later infused this metaphysical truth into his political action through Satyagraha – the force born of truth. For him, truth was God, and all human beings were equal seekers of that divine essence. Hence, discrimination based on race, color, or caste was not merely social injustice but moral untruth.

History bears witness to the eternal triumph of truth over prejudice. Through the ages, humanity has seen how color, race, or creed have been used to justify oppression, yet truth has always found a way to assert itself. In the 19th century, Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation dismantled slavery in America, affirming that moral truth knows no color. Centuries of racial exploitation collapsed under the weight of a simple moral conviction: that all men are created equal. In India, Gandhi’s nonviolent struggle against colonial injustice revealed that the moral power of truth was stronger than the might of empires. His movement inspired Nelson Mandela in South Africa and Martin Luther King Jr. in America, both of whom fought to prove that human equality is colorless and truth universal. The collapse of apartheid in South Africa, the global recognition of civil rights, and the rise of democratic institutions across the world all testify that systems founded on prejudice eventually crumble, while truth endures.

Science, by its very nature, affirms the universality of truth. The law of gravity applies equally to all; it does not change with geography, race, or religion. The principles of thermodynamics, the speed of light, or the genetic code of humanity do not discriminate against. They are colorless truths that bind all life. The COVID-19 pandemic further illustrated this universality. The virus recognized no borders or colors, striking rich and poor nations alike. The global scientific response – from vaccines to research collaboration – demonstrated that truth in science transcends identity. It is based on evidence, observation, and rationality – qualities untainted by social bias. Thus, science stands as a living example that truth, when pursued objectively, remains impartial and colorless, accessible to all of humankind.

In social life, the idea that “truth knows no color” translates into equality and justice. India’s democratic framework embodies this principle. The Constitution, through Articles 14 and 15, guarantees equality before law and prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth. The blindfolded figure of Lady Justice symbolizes that law must be impartial, guided only by truth and evidence – not by appearance or power. Social initiatives like the Right to Education (RTE), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao embody the colorless truth of social justice. These programs aim to dismantle structural inequalities and ensure that opportunities are not confined by class or caste. Similarly, affirmative action for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes reflects an attempt to align social structures with the universal truth of equality. When society recognizes that truth and justice transcend superficial divisions, it moves toward real inclusivity and harmony.

In today’s interconnected yet divided world, the idea that truth knows no color holds urgent relevance. Global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, and wars transcend national and racial boundaries. Melting glaciers, rising seas, and desertification affect humanity collectively, reminding us that ecological truth is colorless. Nature does not discriminate; its consequences are shared universally. The conflicts in Ukraine or Gaza further underline this truth – propaganda may create narratives, but human suffering remains the same irrespective of nationality or religion. In a world dominated by digital media, the distortion of truth through fake news, deepfakes, and misinformation has created a new form of color prejudice – one based not on race, but on manipulated perception. Thus, the challenge today is not just to know the truth but to protect its purity against distortion.

While truth in essence is universal, its perception is often clouded by bias, power, and ideology. Friedrich Nietzsche’s observation – “There are no facts, only interpretations” – remains relevant today. Colonialism justified exploitation under the guise ofa“civilizing mission.” Totalitarian regimes used propaganda to construct falsehoods that masqueraded as truth. In the digital age, truth faces similar distortions. Social media algorithms amplify echo chambers, reinforcing biases. Deepfakes blur the line between reality and fiction, while misinformation manipulates collective consciousness. The moral and intellectual challenge of our time is to reclaim truth from these distortions. Socially, deep-rooted prejudices continue to divide. Despite constitutional safeguards, caste-based discrimination, racism, and gender inequality persist. These biases prevent individuals from perceiving truth as universal and colorless. The challenge is therefore not just intellectual but moral – requiring empathy, courage, and education.

To ensure that truth remains impartial and universal, society must act on multiple fronts – education, governance, law, and global cooperation. Education should cultivate moral reasoning, empathy, and critical thinking. Introducing value-based education rooted in figures like Gandhi, Lincoln, and Mandela can inspire students to see humanity beyond identity. Promoting scientific temper, as enshrined in Article 51A of the Constitution, helps individuals base beliefs on reason rather than prejudice. Governments must enforce anti-discrimination laws with integrity and impartiality. Public servants should embody ethical governance – making decisions based on evidence, fairness, and justice, not bias or pressure. Transparency and accountability must guide public institutions, ensuring equality before law in spirit and practice. Media plays a pivotal role in shaping perception. It must prioritize truth over sensationalism and foster critical dialogue. Digital platforms should invest in fact-checking and ethical content regulations to combat misinformation. Truth must be protected as a public good, not commodified as a tool of influence. Cultural sensitization programs, inter-community dialogues, and awareness campaigns can foster empathy and break stereotypes. Literature, films, and art should continue to challenge prejudice and celebrate shared human values. Civil society organizations can nurture inclusion through mentoring, leadership programs, and empowerment of marginalized groups. At the global level, nations must cooperate on issues like climate justice, human rights, and sustainable development. International institutions must uphold fairness and equality, ensuring that truth is not overshadowed by power politics. Collaboration on vaccine equity and humanitarian aid embodies the moral essence of truth beyond color.

Truth may be hidden, distorted, or delayed – but it cannot be destroyed. History has shown that empires fall, lies in collapse, and prejudice fades, yet truth endures. As Martin Luther King Jr. observed, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” When Gandhi was expelled from that train in 1893, the world saw only a man of color humiliated. But that same man transformed humiliation into moral awakening, and truth into a weapon that dismantled an empire. His journey stands as a timeless reminder that prejudice may obscure truth temporarily, but truth itself is eternal – colorless, impartial, and liberating. In the final analysis, truth knows no color because it reflects the essence of humanity itself – shared, indivisible, and infinite. To uphold it is to affirm our common destiny, where justice, equality, and dignity are not the privilege of a few, but the birthright of all.