International Day of Non-Violence 2020

HEADLINES:

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:

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” .

The resolution restates the desire “to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and 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.

Non-violence is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.

International Day of Non-Violence 2020 | UPSC

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.

The world remembers Gandhi for his passionate adherence to the practice of non-violence and supreme humanism.

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.

Often non-violence is described as “the politics of ordinary people“.

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.

It is one response to the problem of how to act effectively in politics, especially how to wield powers effectively.

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.

Even under oppressive conditions and in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

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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