Siddhachalam NJ 1990 04 Mahavir Jayanti

Author(s): Siddhachalam NJ
Publisher: USA International Mahavir Jain Mission Siddhachalam

Page 43

RELEVANCE OF GANDHIAN
AHIMSA
DR. KUNWAR CHANDRA PRAKASH SINGH
NOTED POET, WRITER, THINKER FOUNDER: ANTARRASHTRIYA HINDI SAMITT
To a historian of modern political events in the world, the greatest achieve- ments of Mahatma Gandhi is perhaps po- litical liberation of India that way a consummation of three major satyagraha campaigns (1920-22, 1930-32 and 1940-42). To my mind, Mahatma Gandhi's greatest contribution is the perfection of his creed of Ahimsa to such an extent that it could be successfully applied to all spheres of human activity and to sorts of human relationships. Ahimsa or Nonviolence is a basic component of religion and culture in India, but the great Buddha and Lord Mahavira developed it into great religion. But before Gandhi, Ahimsa was always practiced outside the realm of politics. Even great Buddha had not been able to evolve a nonviolent technique to solve political tangles of his time which resulted in unprecedented bloodshed and wars.
Mahatma Gandhi extended the concept of noviolence of Buddha and Mahavira to the whole gamut of man's activities. He was of the opinion that social, economic and religious work could not be divided into water tight compartments. For him, Ahimsa was not only a purely religious activity, divorced from other activities of life. He made Ahimsa an integral part of political and economical life as well. He purified the politics by providing it a broad uncompromised religious base and he sublimated state craft by inspiring it with noble ethical ideals
Mahatma Gandhi did not believe that Ahimsa, truth, love and charity are the virtues to be practiced only in private life, and politics is a field of pure expediency. He always protested against double morality practiced by politicians. The greatest success of his Satyagraha campaigns was
that he made politics a part and parcel of religion and bridge the traditional gulf between the two.
His ahimsa or nonviolence went on unfolding itself in may facets. His khadi movement was an application of Ahimsa to economic life. He visualized that it was a great mental torture and a kind of psychological violence to coerce a Indian children into a compulsory process of learning English. Therefore, he advocated the cause of Hindi with all moral force at his command. Hindi to him was symbol of cultural freedom, and emancipation of all modern Indian Languages from the domination of English.
Gandhi's greatness had begun to show itself when he was only a boy of fourteen. Even at that age he was morally very sensitive and he was proud that he never told a lie to teacher or classmates. He was in England for a period of three years for the study of law. When he left England after getting the highest degree in law, he wrote an article in the "Vegetarian" (June 20, 1891). "I carry one great consolation with me that I shall go back without having taken meat or wine."
Along with Ahimsa and truth he practiced Aparigraha, Asteya and Brahamacharya in his life. He has planted a deathless seed into soil of humanity. Politicians might have temporarily forgotten his ideals due to lure of power politics. But the seed is sprouting. Poland has amply demonstrated its potency in the victory of industrial works by resorting to a nonviolent technique, exclusively characteristic of Mahatma Gandhi. This nonviolence is the only guarantee and safe guard against impending nuclear disaster posed by international race for manufacture of nuclear
weapons.
Mahatma Gandhi's creed of Ahimsa is now percolating in the inner mind of human conscious. It is rising as an irresistible force. The victory of Polish workers is very much due to Gandhian technique they used in their campaign. Previously, during their campaign, they used to indulge in all kinds of violent acts like arson, looting, etc. During the present campaigns, workers had formed committees of intellectuals to guide them. These intellectuals advised them to remain nonviolent inspite of all provocations. These committees have been guiding the labor movement of Poland to success.
Gandhian non-violence has won more laurel. Adolfo Perez Esquivel of Argentina has been awarded the Noble Prize for peace for the year 1980. He is a dedicated champion of Latin American poor and the oppressed. He is said to be strong nonviolent foe of the ruling Junta in Buenos Aires. He is a known disciple of Mahatma Gandhi. He has organized groups who are dedicated to non-violent social changes. Betty Williams of the Northern Ireland Peace Movement has called him the greatest living pacifist leader.
I have mentioned here only a few instances to indicate the potency of Gandhian nonviolence. I am sure nonviolence is going to be the religion of Humanity all over the world. The fear of a nuclear was and its devastating consequences are hanging over the world. Only a Gandhi can awaken the conscience of the statesmen ruling over the destiny of nations. The present world is doomed to destruction by the power crazy politicians. Ahimsa, as practiced by Gandhi, is the only remedy.
MAHAVIR JAYANTI SOUVENIR 41 MAHAVIR JAYANTI SOUVENIR