Peacebuilding &conflict transformation A ... - Peaceworkafrica

Based on his own experience with the effects of racism (e.g.: having a validtrain ticket, being a lawyer and a member of the bar association, but still not beingpermitted to sit in a coach reserved for ‘whites only’ in South Africa) he challengedactual facts and became a change activist. Challenging facts and suffering the consequencesof one’s insistence for change became the essence of his principles. In otherwords, it explains that the means one uses to effect change always have to be in conformitywith the aims; it also means that you cannot apply violence to achieve peace.According to Gandhi, all violence is evil and cannot be justified. He demonstratedthis with initiatives like the ‘salt march’ in 1930 — a symbolic action to highlight theinjustice of foreign rule over India.Gandhi established his concept of satyagraha (persisting, holding firm to thetruth) that refers to protest, non‐cooperation with injustice and civil disobedience.Constructive programs, building alternative visions while struggling against oppressiverealities, becoming self‐reliant in production, reducing consumption and developingashram communities are parts of his satyagraha concept.Gandhi’s principle of nonviolenceThe concept of nonviolence and non-resistance has a long history in Indian religiousthought and has had many revivals in Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, Jewish and Christiancontexts. He was quoted as saying:▶ Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.▶ When I despair, I remember that all through history the wayof truth and love has always won. There have been tyrantsand murderers and for a time they seem invincible, but in the end,they always fall — think of it, always.▶ Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devisedby the ingenuity of man.▶ What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans,and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought underthe name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty and democracy?▶ An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.▶ There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causesthat I am prepared to kill for.In applying these principles, Gandhi did not compromise from taking them to theirmost logical extremes. However, Gandhi was aware that this living nonviolencerequired incredible faith and courage, which he realized not everyone possessed.Some statements about him after he was shot to death on 30th January 1948 in NewDelhi.196 V I . N O N V I O L E N C E