Religion Practice and Science of Non Violence

Author(s): O P Jaggi
Publisher: Munshiram Manoharlal Publishers Pvt Ltd

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Religion, Practice and Science of Non-Violence
promptly gathered at the jail was so huge, though entirely peaceful, that the jailer took fright and released him on bond. Hate-mail and threatening calls poured into the houses and offices of the Negro leaders. On the night of January 30th, 1956, a bomb was thrown on the porch of Dr. King's house. Luckily the property damage was slight and nobody was injured. A crowd of angry Negroes rapidly gathered, but Dr. King pleaded with them not to be violent or angry, and restrained them.
A large number of Negro leaders were indicted, arrested and tried for conspiracy in preventing the operation of lawful business. Dr. King was tried first, found guilty and fined five hundred dollars. He appealed the case. On their part, the Negro lawyers filed a suit in the United States Federal Court asking that bus segregation be stopped because it was contrary to the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The Federal court decided in favour of the Negroes and held that the city bus segregation laws of Alabama were unconstitutional. Later the United States Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the lower Federal Court.
With the decision going in their favour, the executive board of the Montgomery Improvement Association decided to end the official protest immediately. In subsequent mass meetings, the Negroes were instructed to be completely non-violent and conciliatory in manner and action when they began riding the buses again. Scenes of possible provocation were described, enacted and rehearsed at these meetings. Constant courtesy was enjoined.
A backlash of white violence erupted in the city. City buses were fired upon. Negroes were assaulted. Four Negro churches were bombed; two of them were completely destroyed. This was, however, condemned even by the local newspapers, the white ministers, and many white business associations.
The racial problem in America is still a terrifying one. But to keep it from taking a violent turn, Dr. King adopted non-violent resistance as suggested by Gandhi.
Other non-violent resistance struggles that have been waged in some other countries are: (1) Hungarian Non-Violent Resistance (1859-1867); (2) Finland's Non-Violent Resistance (1898-1917); (3) Denmark's Non-Violent Resistance (1940-42);