Non-Violence Day, hopes for a free Tibet
New Delhi (AsiaNews) – In the journey towards a Tibet free from Chinese occupation, the people “draw their inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi teaching’s of non-violence, dialogue and comprehension which have also greatly influenced the Dalai Lama”. This is why the Tibetan’s, “are pleased that the UN has declared this Day as the 'International Day of Non-Violence, the only effective weapon against dictatorships”.
This is the statement made to AsiaNews by Tsering Dorje, The coordinator for the Indian Office for Relations with Tibet, following the United Nations decision to dedicated today’s world day to Gandhi’s teachings, in particular to the Satyagraha, or non-violence.
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 resistance—Satyagraha—, 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.
Gandhi, says Dorje, “was a true messenger of Peace and he won independence through Non violence and this is relevant all over the world today especially in our Struggle for Tibet: we are motivated by his message and for this reason we continue to hope in a Tibet free of Chinese occupation”.
This hope, he concludes, “lies above all in the fact that this world day may move the conscience of the international community, and give strength to an effective support of all those communities who, through non-violence, seek significant and peaceful change in the world”.
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01/03/2018 15:31
