International Day of Non-Violence 2020 | UPSC
HEADLINES:
International Day of Non-Violence 2020
WHY IN NEWS:
It is impossible to discuss the subject of tolerance to day without referring to the thought and action of Mohandas Karam-chand Gandhi(1869-1948),known to the world as Mahatma (“greatsoul“).
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: UN Observances
LEARNING:
For PRELIMS go through aim , resolution and the meaning of non violence in this article.
For MAINS how is non violence a powerful tool to organise masses against authoritarians ?
CONTEXT:
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE 2020
OVERVIEW
- The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi.
- He is the pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
RESOLUTION
- General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration to this day.
- The International Day is an occasion to “disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness”.
- The resolution reaffirms “the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence” .
- In General Assembly on behalf of 140 co-sponsors, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Mr. Anand Sharma brought this resolution.
- The wide and diverse sponsorship of the resolution was a reflection of the universal respect for Mahatma Gandhi and of the enduring relevance of his philosophy.
GANDHI AND THE STRUGGLE FOR NON-VIOLENCE
- The name of Mahatma Gandhi transcends the bounds of race, religion and nation-states.
- He has emerged as the prophetic voice of the twenty-first century.
- He is also the benchmark against which we test men and women in public life, political ideas and government policies.
DEFINITION OF NON-VIOLENCE
- The principle of non-violence — also known as non-violent resistance — rejects the use of physical violence in order to achieve social or political change.
- This form of social struggle has been adopted by mass populations all over the world in campaigns for social justice.
ESSENCE OF NON VIOLENCE
- Nonviolent action is a technique by which people who reject passivity and submission, and who see struggle as essential, can wage their conflict without violence.
- Nonviolent action is not an attempt to avoid or ignore conflict.
- While non-violence is frequently used as a synonym for pacifism.
- Since the mid-twentieth century the term non-violence has been adopted by many movements for social change which do not focus on opposition to war.
- One key tenet of the theory of non-violence is that the power of rulers depends on the consent of the population.
- Non-violence therefore seeks to undermine such power through withdrawal of the consent and cooperation of the populace.
CATEGORIES OF NON VIOLENCE
There are three main categories of non-violence action:
- Protest and persuasion, including marches and vigils;
- Non-cooperation; and
- Non-violent intervention, such as blockades and occupations.
BACKGROUND
- Gandhi has been the inspiration for non-violent movements for civil rights and social change across the world.
- Throughout his life, Gandhi remained committed to his belief in non-violence.
- The theory behind his actions, which included encouraging massive civil disobedience to British law as with the historic Salt March of 1930, was that “just means lead to just ends“.
- He believed that Indians must not use violence or hatred in their fight for freedom from colonialism.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- Establishing a culture of peace and sustainable development are at the heart of UNESCO’s mandate.
- Training and research in sustainable development are among the priorities.
- Other ways of celebrating this day – human rights education, skills for peaceful relations, good governance, Holocaust remembrance, the prevention of conflict and peace building.
Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.
SOURCES:THE HINDU & PIB | International Day of Non-Violence 2020 | UPSC
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