Journey Of Ahimsa

Author(s): Kumarpal Desai
Publisher: Jaibhikkhu Sahitya Trust

Page 29

attacked him in 1908. His elder son, who was not with him at that time, wanted to know what was expected of him if he had been at that time. He asked : " could not have behaved the way you wanted me to for I would not tolerate someone attacking you. What should be done ? Should I attack the person, or stand and watch the man attacking you or run away leaving you to your fate ?" Gandhi said: “If you run away, or do not defend me, then it is cowardice. It is better to use brute force than to be a coward. You should defend by fighting the attackers, if you cannot defend by imperiling your own life.” This is the reason why Gandhiji joined the Boar war. He had helped the government at the time of Julu rebellion and also helped the British Government during the war. He believed that evil or wickedness be fought with non-violence and is more effective way. He said : "Killing every Englishman will not result in any good for the country or bring about our independence. Let us reform a person than do evil unto him."
He was wedded to non-violence and said he would prefer to die than to deviate from its path. His non-violence
28
A Journey of Ahimsa