Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 3

SR No.: 522603
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: R P Poddar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur
Publication Year: 1982
Total Pages: 294
Language: English, Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin, & India
File Size: 6 MB

Page 31

VAISHALI RESEARCH BULLETIN NO.3
weakness. Their non-violence has no love in it. He stated that the Jewish race had never been non-violent in his sense because (i) they crucified Jesus, (ii) they believed in the Mosaic law of 'tooth for a tooth' and (iii) they had violence in their hearts for the oppressors because they wanted the democratic powers to punish the Germans and Hitler.44 But I have grave doubts if the unadulterated love and the fellow-feeling which Gandhi wanted the Jews to practise could have been of any avail against the mechanically operating savage Nazi troops.
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During the March crisis of 1939, on the question of Czechoslovakia, Gandhi recommended simultaneous disarmament on the part of the democratic powers as the solution to the threatening situation of world politics. But I believe that it would have been a very unsafe and hazardous adventure by the allied powers.45
Mahatma Gandhi would prescribe complete non-cooperation with the violent aggressors and oppressors. He wrote:
"A non-violent man or society does not anticipate or provide for attacks from without. On the contrary, such a person or society firmly believes that nobody is going to disturb them. If the worst happens, there are two ways open to non-violence. To yield possession but non-cooperate with the aggressor. Thus, supposing that a modern edition of Nero descended upon India, the representatives of the State will let him in but tell him that he will get no assistance from the people. They will prefer death to submission. The second way would be non-violent resistance by the people who have been trained in the non-violent way. They would offer themselves unarmed as fodder for the aggressor's cannon. The underlying belief in either case is that even a Nero is not devoid of a heart. The unexpected spectacle of endless rows upon rows of men and women simply dying rather than surrender to the will of an aggressor must ultimately melt him and his soldiery. Practically speaking there will be probably no greater loss in men than if forcible resistance was offered; there will be no expenditure in armaments and fortifications. The non-violent training received. Such by the people will add inconceivably to their moral height. men and women will have shown personal bravery of a type far
44. M.K. Gandhi, Non violence in Peace and War, vol. I, p. 273. 45. Gandhi in making these suggestions for the practice of non-violence as a technic for the resolution of international tensions was acting upon his conviction that "violence even for the vindication of justice is almost played out." (Non-Violence in Peace and War, I, p. 288).