Relevance of the Gandhian principle of non-violence
OCTOBER 2016 TOPIC: The relevance of the Gandhian principle of non-violence today. Your comments.
Mahatma Gandhi is fortunately among those few great men in the human history whose individual life, works and views, not only proved to be great and exemplary during his lifetime but their relevance and significance remained intact after his passing away. In my opinion the concept of “non-violence” is worth mentioning. In a world of corruption and injustice, how far his concept of non-violence is helpful in maintaining peace and harmony? Challenge to the principle of ahimsa is, Can we keep quiet and let the others kill innocent people just because we believe in ahimsa? We have to understand the current times, and act the way Gandhiji would.
Sarah Chaudhary (13)
Mary Immaculate Girls’ High School, Kalina
Gandhi’s principle of non-violence played an important role in the freedom movement. The great thought given by Gandhi during the time of freedom movement is also relevant today’s life. Our courts get many cases of crimes because we do not practise the principle of non-violence. Gandhi’s principle of non-violence is the need of the hour. In the history, we can see that people who held the principle of non-violence as the law of their life had brought victory in their life. Hence we need to practise non-violence to make a peaceful nation.
John Thazhappillil (22)
When I read this topic, all the inhuman massacres and violence flash through my mind. Gandhiji propounded peace, tolerance, self-control and communal harmony. His satya, ahimsa and satyagraha paved way to people’s heart. Are Gandhian values followed by the people today? I will say no. This world is filled with disgusting terrorism, violence, discrimination, etc. The politicians ignite religion-based war among the people for money and power. Everyone got tired and bored of being patient and tolerant. According to me, Gandhian principles are slowly dying from the human heart.
M. Rahema Thasneem (20)
Vivekanandha College of Engineering for Women, Namakal
The Gandhian principles of non-violence were never irrelevant because non-violence is a very fundamental belief. We cannot imagine this world without non-violence, because if everyone will become violent and cruel like terrorists then they will fight against each other and will end up leaving no one alive, and yes, they might even destroy the earth. So, the Gandhian principle of non-violence has to become the most important thought which everyone should believe and practise to have a peaceful world.
Vrutti Adhyaru M. (20)
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
The meaning of Gandhian non-violence is non-injury to beings. Yes, it is relevant even today. We have seen two world wars and what was the result? Only love conquers all. “An eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth will leave the whole nation blind and toothless.” Even though this world is advanced in technology and loaded with destructive weapons, it still deep within has goodness. Like the primitive people we need not have to kill or destroy. If all start killing each other who will survive?
Infancio Pires
Don Bosco Divyadaan, Nashik
Gandhi provided the world with his timeless philosophy and principles. Gandhi’s non-violence was one of them. But today there is violence everywhere. We see children fighting, families fighting, states fighting (as far as India is concerned, yes the states are in a condition of cold war) and countries fighting. In every second we hear of one or the other terrorist attacks. The principle of non-violence is dying day by day. Now it’s time for us to unite and fight against the rising violence for our peaceful survival.
Palak Singh (13)
Jeevan Marg Sophia Sr. School, Deoria
Gandhian principle of non-violence is very relevant in our times. When social and personal stability of the global scenario is at stake due to various threats, this powerful principle taught by Gandhi can be of inestimable value. We need to adapt it so as to effectively respond to the present violence-crisis. Gandhiji introduced the non-violent movement in the context of the Indian Freedom Movement. What kind of shackles are to be set free today? Our society, family and other sectors need freedom. Violence today has taken various forms. We should be able to adapt the principle of non-violence in our own wanting contexts, without changing its essential nature.
Fantino Pereira
St Joseph’s Monastery, Mangalore
Gandhian philosophy describes the inspiration and vision of Mahatma Gandhi. It is includes his contributions to the principles of non-violent resistance, also known as civil resistance. The two pillars of Gandhian teachings are truth and non-violence.
Hence in today’s context, we can say that the same sets of principles are very much relevant, though they need to be adapted to the present times. One doesn’t have to be in politics to follow his footsteps. We need to accept and understand the current times, and act the way Gandhiji would do today.
Adya Singh (12)
St Anthony’s Junior College, Agra
Today the world is burning with communal violence, terrorism, hatred and corruption, and the ONLY way to extinguish this fire is through the principle of ahimsa preached and practised by Mahatma Gandhi. We are becoming an endangered species because we have become so intolerant and short-tempered that we don’t even think twice before hurting or even killing our fellow beings. Thus, before we become an endangered species, it is imperative that we follow the ideals set by the father of our nation. Pursuit for love, peace and harmony should never become old-fashioned rather more desired and practised.
Chakshu Gururani (16)
St Mary’s Convent College, Nainital
When I read this topic, all the massacres and violence of the past flash through my mind. Gandhiji taught the message of truth and non-violence (ahimsa) at a time when the force of aggression and violence reigned supreme. Mahatma Gandhi who hailed from a middle class orthodox Hindu family of Gujarat, at Rajkot, having received his early education in India, and later qualified as a barrister, taught us what Christ and Buddha had taught long ago. He became immortal in our memory by his teachings and life of peace and non-violence. He believed that there is no god higher than truth.
Divyanshi Jadon (12)
St Anthony’s Junior College, Agra
My views on the importance of Gandhian principle of non-violence today are based on the idea that non-violence was at the core of Mahatma Gandhi’s political thought. But he confesses that non-violence or ahimsa was not his inborn virtue. Non-violence was gradually integrated with his philosophy of life. According to Gandhi, non-violence implies utmost selflessness and the one who practises it is called a ‘Satyagrahi’. He believed that ahimsa lies within truth and truth in ahimsa. If we all follow non-violence there would be no fights and corruption.
Diya Bajaj (12)
St Anthony’s Junior College, Agra
The Gandhian principle can never be outdated no matter what people say and believe. In this world of violence and corruption, Gandhi’s philosophy is the only hope that keeps the human race keep going. The teachings of Gandhi may be confined to textbooks today, but still its relevance has not vanished. Violence has never resolved any issue, but only created further conflicts. It’s only the path of ahimsa that can survive all the upheavals and yet emerge strong. War is sometimes justified and sometimes not but the relevance of the Gandhian principle of non-violence has always prevailed.
Kashish Rana (13)
Convent of Jesus and Mary, Shimla
One of Gandhiji’s teachings is Satyagraha. Satya means ‘truth’ and agraha means ‘firmness’. Racial discrimination in South Africa awakened Gandhiji’s social conscience and this led him to coin this word. He not only preached the tenets of Satyagraha, but also acted on them. He showed how these noble principles could be used to transform the world into a better place. As Gandhiji wrote, “Satyagraha is the vindication of truth not by infliction of suffering on the opponent but on one’s self.” This principle reverses the ‘eye-for-an-eye’ policy which, he says is blind and destructive. It returns good for evil until the evildoer tires of evil.
Satwik Mohan
Mahatma Gandhi dreamt of a peaceful, stable and violence free India. Gandhian principles are still relevant and much of the problems can be tackled by following them. But in this era of supersonic missiles and bombs these principles cannot be blindly pursued. No one will take an insult especially when it comes to national sovereignty. And it’s right because fighting terrorism by non-violence will be an impractical idea. However non-violence can be used to remove the root cause of terrorism. Thus, we need a balanced view of Gandhian principles and follow them in our lives in the best possible way.
Alina Ali
St Anthony’s Jr College, Agra
The Gandhian strategy is a combination of truth, sacrifice, non-violence, selfless service and cooperation. In today’s world very few people walk on the path of Gandhian principles. Today many of us being selfish we try to solve our problems by fighting each other and other wrong ways. According to Gandhiji, we should walk on his way of satyagraha based on non-violence, cooperation, truth and honesty. It may be difficult for us but not impossible.
Samridhi Sharma (12)
St Anthony’s Junior College, Agra