Gandhi's Birthday and the International Day of Non-Violence

Saturday, 2 October, is the International Day of Non-Violence, which was established in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007. The purpose of the day is to spread the message of ‘non-violence’, for example through education and public awareness, and to build a culture of peace, tolerance and understanding. We wanted to find out what some of our students in Grade 10 and Global Perspectives think about Gandhi and what they had to say about non-violence, so we met up with Saiesha, Giovana and Aymaan. 

Gandhi helped leading India to independence and has been one of the strongest sources of inspirations for the non-violent movements, as well as for civil rights and social change movements across the world. The theory behind Gandhi’s actions included encouraging ‘civil disobedience’ and ‘non-violence’. The principles of non-violence, often described as 'the politics of ordinary people', rejects the use of violence in order to achieve social or political change. This is because Gandhi saw that "just means lead to just ends", meaning that it is irrational to try to use violence and hatred to achieve peace and freedom. Thus, throughout his life, Gandhi remained committed to his beliefs, even under oppressive conditions and in the face of what seemed like overwhelming challenges. 

Like with the purpose of the International Day of Non-violence, our Saiesha, Giovana and Aymaan want to spread the message and practice of non-violence. “People should preach nonviolence in a way that includes practising non-violence in our daily encounters”, says Saiesha, stressing the importance of promoting peace, respect and forgiveness to our surroundings in our everyday lives. “Most people see violence as the only way to achieve peace”, says Giovana. She believes that people should learn about non-violent movements and their successes: “By knowing there are more ways to solve problems, we are less likely to use violence and more likely to use non-violent interventions.”  

Aymaan points to how humans are social beings, and how we have managed to develop by working together. “There is much more we can do if we work together and set back our differences and violence. Because violence only leads to more hatred, more anger, more turmoil and more destruction”, says Aymaan, and explains that we as humans will not do the best on this planet if we elevate ourselves at the expense of others. Saiesha agrees quoting Gandhi: “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind”, and says that if we continue to penalise those who are unkind in a violent way, we will be no different ourselves. “Vengeance has rendered them all blind in this way.”  

All three of the students believe that non-violence is the way forward. Giovana quotes Gandhi saying “non-violence is a weapon of the strong”, and explains that “it is easier to use violence to solve problem than it is to use words or standing our ground for what we believe is right. Those who can do it are mentally strong for anything.” Aymaan believes that privileged people need to take a responsibility, because “poverty is the worst form of violence", he says quoting Gandhi. “Poverty makes people go through a lot of hardships, physical and mental, and to them it is a form of violence to them.” 

Being students of Global Perspectives, our three students see themselves as messengers of peace, despite age. Saiesha quotes Greta Thunberg, saying: “I have learned you are never too small to make a difference.” Thus, the power of impacting the world and the future is available to everyone, here and now. “We are the generation that will take care of the future, every action we do will impact it”, says Giovana, accentuating peace and good, rather than dwelling in terror and violence. Aymaan agrees: “If we want to progress as a species and as a planet, and to save and take care of what really matters to us, this can only be achieved by stopping violence and putting down our arms, and begin to work together as human beings.”