" NON-VIOLENCEIS THE LAW OF SPECIES AS VIOLENCE IS THE LAW OF BRUTE"

so spoke Mahatma Gandhi, celebrating the need and nature of the principle of non-violence for mankind. All wise men down the ages have preached the doctrine ,of love and non-violence. Zoroaster, Buddha, Mahavira, Christ, Nanak primarily emphasised a moral code that gave due status to non-violence. Non-violence is a philosophy of life, a modus operand which hasbeen accepted as an article of faith in the East as well as the West. But what does the word ‘non-violence’ mean in simple terms? To what extent can and should non-violence be exercised in daily life? And is it not true that the world today is in dire need of nonviolence?

Non-violence has been variously interpreted by different people including philosophers andscholars. Generally, the term means ‘non-injury’ to others. It is a concept based on the fundamental goodness of man. In the fight for what is right and good-freedom, morality, justice and equality, violence must be avoided. All these are to be gained by avoiding use of physical force. One must avoid inflicting pain on others to win one’s goal however true and justifiable it may be. Evil must be resisted ina calm manner and not through violence in thought or action. For almost always violence begets violence-and there will be no end to it. The path of non-violence calls for a great amount of fortitude on the part of the person practicing it to achieve the best of goals. It also calls for courage and a lot of self-sacrifice. Thus non-violence, as Gandhi said, is not the weapon of the coward but of the strong. But to what extreme can the principle of non-violence be extended?Aggression between humans can be repulsed and checked by non-violence. But where the aggressor has no regard for the resulting destruction and bloodshed, total non-violence would only invite aggression. It must be remembered that even Gandhi, the modern profounder of the gospel of ‘non-violence’, allowed the use of violent weapons in the fight for right goals if there was a need.The world is desperately in need of non-violence as a way of life, to spread the gospel of love, brotherhood and peace. Man must awaken and realise that the world of violence in which he is living can blow up on his face at any time. Before time runs out, man must realise the folly of indulging in violence and give it up. Only the path of non-violence can truly provide mankind release from all ills and bring about harmony in the world. Only non- violence can restore sanity around us...

Thankyou.