Introduction
Non-violence generates no-violence and ultimately in the long-term sense, promotes peace, progress, prosperity and heavenly harmony, whereas violence stirs and instigates more and more violence that poses threat, horror, tension, colossal waste of life and property, animosity, in some cases even complete destruction. In this regard the statement and stout step in his life course in worth mentionable. Gandhiji made the above statement in the crucial time during the freedom struggle movement of India, which reflects his supreme surrender and worship to peace and peace process because he felt and knew the consequences of it in the core of his heart. Violence gives temporary gains and sense of victory, but in the long-term sense it has adverse consequences, the destruction and great damage at large in social, economic and ethical spheres.
Non-violence and Its Significance in the History
The history of India has witnessed many immortal worshipers and propounders of non-violence; some upheld the means by understanding its power by heart while a few by means of their self-led violence. The magnificent ones who conquered the world are Lord Gautam Buddha, Mauryan king Ashoka the Great and Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. The Mauryan king Ashoka taught himself practically by his self-led annihilation of hatred bloodshed in the Kalinga war. By dint of his mighty clutches of power, he turned the vast kingdom of Kalinga into graveyard packed of corpses and carcass. The vast Kalinga was gasping in emptiness at the edge of Ashoka’s strong sharp sword. That war taught and overnight reincarnated king Ashoka into Ashoka the Great. He destroyed his sword, gave the policy of hatred warfare, and took up the policy of peace and love that had been established by Lord Buddha. He promulgated the concept of Dhamma i.e. the policy of non-violence. The latter policy established his kingdom in the heart of mankind while the mighty wind of time wiped out the former.
Current Indian history also reflects some instances of violence that led to huge loss of lives and property and stunted growth and development and life process are the Repression of the Rebellion of 1857, during the Partition of India in 1947. There are countless instances of violence that led almost destruction. The vital ones of them are the First World War, the Second World War, and the latest violent operations in Yemen and Libya
The consequences of violence are also witnessed in social backdrop. Physical abuse of children hinders their physical and mental development, perils their potential, and endangers their lives making them exposed to alcohol and drug abuse. In India, often comes out the incidents of ruthless violence on women in the news headlines as consequences of the patriarchal mindset. The worst of all violence in current India is the perpetuation of caste system that exploits and represses the innocent ignorant Indians as well as deprives them of their birthrights. Since independence innumerable communal riots, major or minor, that have been breaking out every now and then in India mar the peace and communal harmony and damages on life and property. The ruthless suppression of the riots of tribal people for demanding their fundamental rights also result in great damage.
Consequences of Recent Violent Activities in and Around India
Recently, Naxalism and terrorism are mighty challenges perplexing our policy. Violent modus operandi at times fails. Violent operations against Maoists have unintentionally caused the loss of lives of local people. Laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) have withstood their utility by causing more damages than advantages. In this respect, anger of people is seen in the areas where AFSPA is imposed. The success acquired through anti-terrorist laws by the act like Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) are also hotly debated as well as controversial. The neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka obliterated the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) through a destructive war in 2009, which resulted in a large scale violence and the suffering of the displaced people and in the creation of permanent wedge between people of two communities Sinhalese and Tamils. The colossal violence in Bangladesh post-war crime trials have come up at cost of the loss of thousands of lives simultaneously grew targeting the minority.
Success of Non-violence
The dhamma i.e. the non-violence policy brought peace and progress in the Empire of Ashoka. The all-round measures of Ashoka led to the considerable success, he could do by this policy what he had failed to execute by the sharp edge of his mighty sword. The glorious history of his kingdom is the bright instance of the non-violence.
Other instances are Champaran and Kheda Satyagraha, Indigo revolt in Bengal (1859–60) and Pabna Unrest (1870–85), where the non-violent movement accomplished remarkable success.
India got independence largely by means of non-violent movements though, many diverse methods of movements were executed.
In the post-independence period some non-violent movements like Chipko Movement, a forest conservation movement, Dongria-Kondh Resistance by tribals against bauxite mining were successful by means of non-violent protest.
Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak Chishi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah (NSCN-IM), after the struggle of 37 years, is on the march to obtain a state. The recent die-hard activities by NSCN-IM have created confusion and chaos in the region.
Conclusion
Gandhiji observed, realised and encountered the consequences of an eye for an eye. So, he remained firm in the policy of Ahimsa i.e. non-violence. He thought of the vast success long-lasting result instead of the petty transitory victory attained by violence. Needless to say, the results of non-violence leave no scope of doubt or dissatisfaction; rather they become the driving force of peaceful process of life on earth. It is, therefore, high time the entire world should mitigate their violent feelings and think and judge deeply on the impending consequences of the world, for which they are planning to execute operations they are preparing. Non-violence has no alternative to solve each and every problem or stiff situation the humans encounter in their day-to-day life across the world. Violence is brutality, while non-violence is humanism.