Celebrating one hundred years of non-violence, only weapon against terrorism
Delhi (AsiaNews) India celebrates today Satyagraha, the principle of non-violence launched a century ago by the Mahatma Gandhi, invoked and taken up by the Church today as a call to action for the international community to overcome divisions caused by wars and terrorism.
The roots of Satyagraha are found in Gandhi's 1893 trip to South Africa where he had accepted a contract from an Indian firm. In this country he saw first hand the terrible reality of thousands of Indian immigrants living under racial segregation. The indignation he felt over the racial discrimination inflicted on his fellow Indians (and himself) by the British authorities led him to political action.
The Mahatma (Great Soul) became involved in the fight for his compatriots' rights and on September 11, 1906, he launched a campaign based on a non-violent resistanceSatyagraha, a total refusal to collaborate with the British authorities and the use of mass pressure. Thanks to Gandhi peaceful rebellion and marches become the hallmark of the struggle for social and political equality.
Satyagraha or non-violence was eventually taken up by people like Martin Luther King, Mandela and others.
Satya is Sanskrit for Truth, and Agraha is used to describe an effort, endeavour. Truth (Satya) implies love and firmness (Agraha) serves as a synonym for force. Satyagraha may thus be construed a 'true force', 'the force of love', or "the firmness of truth. It conveys the notion of ahimsa, avoidance of himsa, or injury.
Archbishop Oswald Gracias, chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, in talking to AsiaNews about this recurrence, said that "Gandhi was the apostle of non-violence, peace and harmony. He had an inner strength and this, along with other virtues, helped him reach his goals. He had a huge following because people of every faith, caste and creed witnessed his spiritual strength, not to mention his political action".
"The Mahatma's message of non-violence is important today more than ever, for India and the world," the prelate said. "In today's India some segments of society have come under the sway of globalisation and are leading the country away from the basic principles of peace, harmony and mutual co-existence for which Gandhi fought hard and upon which our beloved nation was founded."
"The Mahatma loved India and his inner strength helped him overcome obstacles that lay on its path to freedom and independence. This love made him a much admired and beloved leader, an example followed by leaders like Martin Luther King and Mandela".
"Today's world is divided by hatreds, violence and intolerance," Archbishop Gracias noted. "And we should instead turn to this apostle of non-violence who's encouraged us to improve ourselves and move on the path of peace. Satyagraha's centennial is a call to action for the international community to come together and overcome wars and terrorism".
Jesuit Fr Cedric Prakash, director of the Prashant Human Rights Centre, was invited to a conference on peace in Durban, South Africa, by the Gandhi Development Trust.
He told AsiaNews that "Satyagraha, in the world we live in, is without a doubt the best way to achieve peace. When Gandhi launched his campaign for truth in South Africa exactly a century ago, he didn't clearly foresee what this powerful weapon could bring about. It was successful in achieving Indian independence."
"For Satyagraha to be meaningful, we must ensure that our society becomes more open and transparent and that everyone's rights are protected. Terrorism in any form must always be condemned. Today is another anniversary, that of the massacre in America by religious fundamentalists. People around the world must condemn such actions without any appeal."
"We are conscious that the world could become a different place if the world's superpowers met the legitimate rights and aspirations of peoples and nations, and if we were serious about disarmament and dismantling the industry that encourages war and violence. Satyagraha and non-violence are the only path to correctly deal with fundamental problems that today cause violence."
For Fr Augustine Kanjamala, svd, a well-known theologian and director of the Institute of Indian Culture, the "Mahatma Gandhi was one of the most complex personalities of the 20th century. He interacted with complex situations and people, first in South Africa where he clashed with injustice and social inequalities, and later in India where he fought for freedom from the powerful colonial oppressor. But his weapons were non-violence and Satyagraha".
"By his own admission," Father Kanjamala told AsiaNews, "in his protracted struggle for justice Gandhi was kept sound of mind by his spirituality. The Hindi concept of spirituality in the Bhagavad Gita ["the Song of the Divine One", a poem comparable to the Gospels] and the Christian one embodied in the Sermon on the Mountain gradually became in him a single harmonious concept. He was always in touch with the social and political realities of his country and in dialogue with Hindus, Christians, Muslims and believers of other religions".
"For me," Father Kanjamala added, "Gandhi is an example that inspires dialogue. In the current context of clashes between civilisations, sectarian violence and corruption in public life, the Gandhian spirit, although difficult, is all the more relevant".
"In the last few years, the Church has redefined its mission giving preference to inter-faith dialogue, education and caring for the poor. Gandhi's message and example will be of great assistance in rediscovering the meaning and relevance of Jesus, whom he always admired and followed."
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02/10/2007
