Introduction
It goes without saying that life without peace and tranquility is of no relevance. But, the real life scenario does not go exactly the way one thinks. Though non-violence is a peaceful and strong tool or option to win the hearts of people, it does not always serve the intended purpose of life. There are numerous instances when it fails to serve as the weapon of ensuring peace in the world. Undoubtedly, it makes good sense to assume that the peaceful co-existence of people or countries depends on the mutual accommodation, understanding, respect, and honor of one another’s lives and property. In the backdrop of the “Peace and Conflict Studies,” it becomes crystal clear to ensure non-violence as a means of peace and tranquility in the region, especially the South-Asian regions of the world where India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and neighboring countries exist.
Body
Definition of Non-violence
Nonviolence is a universally accepted moral and ethical philosophy of eschewing violence or not causing damage or loss to people or public property. It is a kind of peaceful demonstration, struggle, agitation or movement to display a sense of resistance to socio-cultural and political matters of bringing about socio-political transformation and building a just, equitable, non-discriminative society in the world.
People participating in this type of movement, adopt multiple and varied approaches of non-cooperation or disobedience with a view to bringing about a socio-political change and cultural reformation. In this modern age, it is a powerful tool in the hands of ordinary people to create a mass-based agitation for ensuring revolutionary transformation through protest against exploitation, discrimination and injustice. Some of the burning examples of adoption of non-violence method of getting justice, equality, and liberty are:
a) Mahatma Gandhi’s struggle against the British rule in India for attaining Independence in 1947.
b) King Martin Luther’ movement in America to gain success for the just and equitable civil right for the people of African origin who live in America.
c) César Chavez’s agitation for farm workers in California to protest the maltreatment of farm workers in California
d) Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia against the Communist government when the people used the peaceful disobedience and non-cooperative agitation to dislodge the Communist government in 1989
On the other hands, violence contributes to the birth of the confrontation and clash strategy. During this, the situations go out of control to create a mass damage and devastation. And, the only motive is to get victory by hook or crook in the name of vengeance, self-respect and self-defense. In these cases, the moral values such as honesty, integrity, equality, and compassion have no relevance. The matter turns out to be worse when both the groups become stubborn, arrogant and violent and display the right of might.
In the history of political liberation and agitation, the name of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King is prominent. Both leaders avoided to be trapped in a cycle of violent agitation and mass confrontation. Using this philosophy does mean that the person is coward or timid. But, it requires a huge amount of determination, self-reliance, ability to resist pressure, willingness to encounter discomfort and pain, power to struggle hard to take on any challenges, and finally commitment to prepare oneself for even death. All these powers of nonviolence hinges on the ability of strong and iron-willed leaders to teach lessons morally about their the validity and legitimacy of the powerful violators who use violent means against any non-violent protest. By using these peaceful and moralistic means, the crusaders of non-violence demoralize them for the unlawful and unjustified actions. On the other hand, this process of non-violence also helps in creating awareness among the masses widespread criticisms and attracts the attention of the international communities. So, this strategy of non-violence is a form of resistance to challenge the power of unlawful, obstinate, and violent force for their illegitimate political and military actions and reaction against the peaceful agitations in any forms.
Significance of violence
Some of the attributes required to successfully execute the plan of non-violence are:
a) Willingness of the non-violent groups to base their philosophy of movement and resistance on some moral values and principles.
b) Commitment to struggle and face death in protecting and abiding by these principles of morality and honesty.
c) Not to ask people to agitate or condemn without making them understand the facts.
d) Impartial and committed volunteers to act as observers to follow path of decency and decorum of values and ethics.
e) Strategy for the widespread mass communication in the electronic and print media
f) Adoption of multiple means of non-violence by displaying peaceful protest, noncooperation, and intervention
g) Deep motivation of the people who are intrinsically involved against a policy or instruction
h) Strong will power to resist any inacceptable and discriminatory rules and conditions of government by showing disagreement, displeasure, non-cooperation, or refusal for any work and payment of taxes
i) Ability to show any socio-political and or economic disruptions by blocking road, rail, air, and ship movement, and disconnecting telecommunication and electronic and print media links
In order to highlight these loopholes and limitations of non-violence, it is worthwhile to understand the bitter facts from different historical perspectives and happenings. There are many instances in the world history that forced the people to take the laws into their hands and resort to violence for ensuring peace and tranquility. Some of these happenings are:
Norwegian independence from Sweden
The origin of Norwegian freedom in 1905 lies in 1814 when there was massive political, social, human, and economic exploitation by the Swedish authorities and regulations. These exploitations created frustration to unimaginable limits for over 80 years. Finally, the parliament of Norway severed the relation with Sweden in 1905.As a result of this, a cloud of tension, war, and fear hovered between the two hostile neighboring countries. In the mean time, there were a heavy loss of life and properties on the Norway side because the Swedish government never wanted to leave the claw of control over Norway. It was the result of the sacrifice that resulted in the liberation of Norway from Sweden on 26 October 1905. To get the independence, Norwegians fought tooth and nail against Swedish for their rights of equality and political freedom. Than the Swedes if it had come to war.
Canadian independence from Britain
The history of Canadian independence from Britain has deep-rooted facts of massive political, social, human, and economic exploitation by the British administration and policies. These discriminations generated frustration for a long time. Finally, a day came when a group was formed and an armed revolution launched in 1867 to form a separate country - Canada. These revolutionaries’ activities disturbed the rhythm of the British rule and broke the backbone of their administrative, economic, and military power. This resulted in the decimating the calibre of the British rule. Ultimately, the evolution of Canada took place and they shouldered the accountability of deciding their own destinies in their ways. Therefore, Canada emerged as a strong and independence entity and supported and reinforced British during the first and second world wars.
Norway World War II
Another glaring example of violence and exploitation is the occupation of Norway by Germany in 1940 during the Second World War. And, such encroachment of territory continued till May, 1945, after the capitulation of German forces in Europe. During the period from 1940 to 1945, there was massive violation of human, political, social, and economic rights. The entire regime was controlled a so-called pro-German government led by Reich Commissariat of Norway. The exploitation by the regime was limitless and the competent and legitimate king of Norway was made to live in exile in London. The kinds of pains and sufferings the Norwegian people faced during the Second World War cannot be forgotten. And, the impact of the occupation changed the socio-political fabric of Norway.
Denmark World War II
There are many instances violence and exploitation in the world history. One of such instances is political and military encroachment Denmark by Germany under the regime of Nazi rule during the Second World War. It started in 1940 and continued till May, 1945 when the German forces surrendered to the Allies forces. During the period from 1940 to 1945, there was an unmatchable, massive violation of human, political, social, and economic rights. The fabrics of these institutions of Denmark were thrown to winds. The ordinary people were sandwiched between the fights of the King and the Danish government. Later, this scene of uncertainty created massive strike and destructive activities. During this time, there was the rule of the unruly laws and people. The ultimate sufferers were the common people who suffered at the hands of the German occupation. And, the kinds of unjustifiable pains they suffered were really morally unpardonable and any word is not good enough to condemn such actions and sufferings of the Danish during the Second World War.
Limitations of Non-violence
Keeping the above facts into accounts, it makes a good sense to visualize the limitations of non-violence. Exploitation and discriminations are some inhuman actions displayed the powerful lot who cannot understand the language of non-violence. There are many instances that help us believe that non-violence pays heavy price for peace and tranquility in any parts of the world. Some of the eye-raising limitations and failure of non-violence are:
a) Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King in 1948 and 1968 respectively
b) Loss of life of freedom fighters for a long time
c) Unjustifiable imprisonment and hanging to death of the people who fight for their equality of status, liberty, human values, and political and cultural freedom
d) Destruction of property and mass killing of the people
e) Suppression of justice and human values for a long time
Conclusion
In the light of the aforesaid facts and analyses of these philosophies and reasons of violence, and wars during the present and past time, it can be, undoubtedly, assumed that disturbance and conflict in anyway or anywhere is really an unjustifiable and unacceptable option. The use of non-violence option is always good for achieving systematic and eternal peace. But, sometimes language of decency is not understood by the opponent. Further, some countries do not pay respect to the language of decorum and decency, and treat the weapon of tolerance as being weak. So, the affected people have no options but to resort to violence as a viable and an ultimate option to solve any possible conflict or aggression. Here, the tools of non-violence do not always work. History shows the way with supporting evidence that sometimes language of non-violence turned down by the deaf ears of the dominant groups or countries. And, violence ensures better, longer and permanent solutions to the emerging problems. This certainly makes our life happy, progressive, honest, and prosperous in a true sense. Finally, it can be safely concluded that non-violence is not a viable strategy or option for achieving a permanent peace, ensuring the human right of individuals in the world, leading a life of dignity and honor on the principles of equality and justice. And, resorting to violence with an inner motive of bringing peace to the region and the world is undoubtedly acceptable. So, there is a need to use this viable option judiciously in the rarest possible situation to ensure peaceful co-existence of the people of different regions of the world.
All of us know this that such a rational and pragmatic approach in life builds a launching platform for a healthy, happy, progressive and vibrant society. But, the moot point in this modern age of economic, political, social, ethical, religious, and military war for power, supremacy and dominance, it is a million dollar question to ensure a just and peaceful environment in this world without any conflict. In this universal drive for conflict-free and love-filled set-up of the world, the role of society, government, and people in general plays a key role in creating a culture of healthy atmosphere among the masses and ensure stability at all walks of life. So, it is the accountability not only of the any region or government to look after and provide quality peace infrastructure but also of the international and global agency to monitor a system of socio-economic, human and industrial development to reduce the impact of metal degradation of human minds.
David P. Barash and Charles P. Webel (2002, p. 22-46). Peace and Conflict Studies, 2nd edition.
David P. Barash and Charles P. Webel (2002, p. 58-70). Peace and Conflict Studies, 2nd edition.
David P. Barash and Charles P. Webel (2002, p. 89-123). Peace and Conflict Studies, 2nd edition.
Christopher E. Miller (2005, p. 12 - 40). A glossary of terms and concepts In Peace and Conflict Studies, 2nd edition.
Christopher E. Miller (2005, p. 65-115). A glossary of terms and concepts In Peace and Conflict Studies, 2nd edition.
