GANDHISM VS. TERRORISM

Nagindas Sanghavi and Usha Thakkar

The IUP Journal of Governance and Public Policy, 2009, vol. IV, issue 2, 49-58

Abstract: Gandhism has slowly crystallised itself into a multidimensional approach to life in all its proliferations, both for an individual and the society. Gandhi obviously thought and acted only in moral terms, and terror is an antithesis of all moral values and as such it has been universally condemned in every civil society. Gandhi’s ideas and work can be a source of immense strength against the danger of terrorism, which looms larger in our lives today than it ever did in his times. Gandhi taught that violence and terrorism cannot be defeated by counter-violence. Mutual exchange of ideas and understanding of the mindset of the opponents have been prescribed and practised by Gandhi and may well provide an alternative to the ruthless suppression, i.e., State Terrorism. Gandhism by its very basic postulates is irrevocably opposed to all forms of violence perpetrated by any one under any banner whatsoever. It condemns terror but not the terrorists, who are misguided zealots for the cause. At the same time, Gandhi disapproves passivity in the face of any evil or injustice. The evil must be valiantly and peacefully resisted without ever hating the evildoer. A satyagrahi cannot rest until the underlying cause of unrest or terrorism is eliminated and the terrorist is reconciled with the society of which he is an integral unit. Such resistance may be peaceful but never passive because Gandhi disliked passivity after violence, especially passivity arising out of cowardice. For Gandhi, non-violence is promoted not just by rejection of violence, but also by efforts to build societies in which violence would not be cultivated. Gandhi teaches us to have confidence in the self even in a sheer hopeless situation, and to be truthful and honest in the midst of falsehood and dishonesty. His ideology in its own serene way opens up new ways leading to truth and equips the satyagrahi with techniques to counter violence and terrorism.

Date: 2009
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