October 2nd is the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, arguably the greatest Indian ever. It is celebrated as International Day of Peace and Non-Violence. The apostle of peace and non-violence is a revered figure universally. How relevant is Gandhi in 2017? Should be generate any interest in the madness surrounding us? The answer is a resounding yes.
Gandhi is the person to look for in the testing times today. If alive today, his greatest international concern would have been the Trump-North Korea Crisis. With the Trump Administration and their Korean Counterparts virtually coming to nuclear blows, Gandhi would have been a worried man. Gandhi was a firm believer in the concept of Ahimsa (Non-Violence).
This concept has two dimensions- Non Violence of Thought and Non-Violence of Action. Both these ideas have been breached in the relations between the two nations. The testing of weapons by the Trump Administration on the Korean Peninsula with the intention of browbeating the tiny nation into submission amounts of violence. The actual destruction of the nation is not required. Thus violence by action has been perpetrated. What about Violence of Thought? This is an integral feature of US-North Korea relations today. Both nations are filled with thoughts of violence and hatred against each other. This is clearly reflected in the statements emanating from each of them. So what would be the Gandhian prescription to this dangerous malady? Desist from violence and morally win over the opponent to your side. Trump should stop threatening North Korea. North Korea should reciprocate by doing the same. Should North Korea forego Nuclear Weapons, especially when the US possesses the same? It is the obligation of each nation to forge its own moral path of salvation in the quest for truth. This is an individual journey of self-introspection which if undertaken honestly should convince the thinker that the possession of nuclear weapons for destructive purpose is simply not necessary.
Violence begets violence and can never bring peace. Peace can never be achieved by desiring harm to the opponent. Ideally, the US should give up its Nuclear Weapons if it wants to morally convince North Korea of doing the same. Each nation must realize that nothing can be achieved by egoistic chants and threats against the other. Gandhi believed in peaceful modes of dispute resolution. These include Mediation, Negotiation and Conciliation. While efforts on these lines are underway, they must be further strengthened. A Gandhian is at pains to comprehend, Trumps latest sarcastic comment to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that he should refrain from negotiating with the ‘Rocket Man’ as it serves no apparent purpose. Gandhi would have totally disagreed with this statement. If there is anything that can solve this problem, in addition to internal moral introspection, it is a negotiated settlement. Ahimsa, is the creed that should be practiced internationally for world peace. Letting go of hatred, bigotry, prejudice and contempt against the other is essential for cleansing the soul of its impurities. Where Truth is God, the quest for God should essentially be the quest for world peace. Let’s bring Gandhi into our lives and free the world from impending doom.
