THE ROAD TO PEACE NONVIOLENCE AND INTEGRITY IN ACTION

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I n a time when peace-making processes are often tainted by hypocrisy and vested interests, Gandhi’s unwavering faith in humanity and his relentless pursuit of justice serve as a guiding light. This essay delves into the profound lessons offered by Gandhi’s words and actions, illustrating how the path to peace is not only a moral imperative but also a practical reality when approached with sincerity, courage, and an unshakeable belief in the power of love over hate. “Peace is unattainable by part performance of conditions, even as chemical combination is impossible without complete fulfilment thereof.” – M. K. Gandhi, Harijan, May 16, 1934.

This quote by Bapu perfectly encapsulates the idea that peace is impossible without meeting essential conditions: truth, justice, the complete absence of violence or intimidation in the peace- making process, and integrity on the part of the peacemaker. Unfortunately, the hypocrisy displayed by societies and nations has often corrupted this delicate process.

“Though we sing: ‘All glory to God on High and on earth be peace,’ there seems to be today neither glory to God nor peace on earth.” – M. K. Gandhi, Young India, December 31, 1931

Despite the prevalence of conflict, war, oppression, and injustice, peace is still attainable if one approaches it selflessly and honestly. Bapu demonstrated this during his peace pilgrimage through the riot-devastated districts of Noakhali and Tipperah in East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh) and later in Bihar. Refusing to indulge in the blame game, Gandhi transcended religious divides. In East Bengal, Muslims had massacred Hindus, while in Bihar, Hindus
had killed Muslims. For Bapu, they were all human—both the victims and the perpetrators. He appealed to their inherent humanity: for the perpetrators to repent and reform and for the victims to forgive and trust.

This approach may seem difficult, but Bapu’s success as what Lord Mountbatten famously called a “One-Man Peacekeeping Force” lay in his ability to soothe rather than stoke the flames of hatred. “Not to believe in the possibility of permanent peace is to disbelieve in the godliness of human nature. Methods hitherto adopted have failed because rock-bottom sincerity on the part of those who have striven has been lacking.” – M. K. Gandhi, Harijan, May 16, 1936.

When the deployment of military forces was suggested to stop the riots in East Bengal, Bihar, and Punjab, Gandhi objected. He believed, rightly, that violence cannot be extinguished by counter-violence. Modern history validates
this view: post-9/11, the U.S. waged wars in Afghanistan and Iraq under the banner of a “war on terror.” Yet, these efforts have neither made the U.S. safer nor brought humanity closer to peace, precisely because they lacked justness
and integrity. Subjugation and annihilation cannot ensure peace.