Dialogue, reconciliation, and understanding underscore the transformative potential of peaceful means in resolving conflicts and building a harmonious world
August is a month that holds historical significance in various cultures and contexts. August was originally the sixth month in the ancient Roman calendar, named after the Roman Emperor Augustus (Gaius Octavius), who ruled from 27 BC to 14 AD. He named the month after himself to honour his victories and rise to power.
Cut to the early twentieth century. It was August 1914 that marked the beginning of World War I when Germany declared war on Russia. This event propelled the start of one of the most significant conflicts in modern history. A few years later the hunger for supremacy saw two major devastations. On August 6 and August 9, 1945, during World War II, the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively. These bombings had a profound impact on global geopolitics and the development of nuclear weapons. The aerial bombings together killed between 129,000 and 226,000 people, most of whom were civilians, and remain the only use of nuclear weapons in an armed conflict. The devastating impact of these bombings led to unparalleled human suffering and long-term effects due to radiation exposure.
The bombings not only ended World War II but also ushered in the nuclear age, raising concerns about the potential for global annihilation. It had significant implications on the geopolitics of the world with the United States emerging as a dominant superpower, while the Soviet Union, another nuclear-armed nation, became its rival during the Cold War era. The arms race that followed heightened tensions between nuclear-armed nations and brought the world to the brink of nuclear war on multiple occasions.
Mahatma Gandhi's words resonate deeply: "An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind." The destruction and loss of life caused by the atomic bombings underscore the folly of pursuing violence as a means to an end. It highlighted the urgent need for diplomacy, dialogue, and nonviolence to address conflicts and disputes.
After 'Little Boy' and 'Fat Man' snuffed out over 2,00,000 lives in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, the apostle of peace, Mahatma Gandhi, had commented that if the world had not adopted non-violence, it would lead mankind towards suicide. Gandhi also said that the world could be saved from an atomic bomb only by non-violence, not by another bomb. It was almost during this period of global turmoil, India’s struggle for Independence was at its peak. The British had already started fearing the actions of the Indian National Army under Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s leadership. Back home, taking forward his non-violent struggle on the path of ‘Satyagraha’, Mahatma Gandhi had given a clarion call to the Britishers to “Quit India’ which he launched on August 9, 1942, three years before the atomic bombs were dropped by the United States on Japan. Gandhi’s Quit India Movement called for the immediate withdrawal of British forces from India and mass civil disobedience against British authority.
The Quit India Movement had far-reaching implications not only for India but also for the global anti-colonial struggle. It showcased the power of nonviolent resistance as a potent weapon against oppressive regimes. In today's turbulent times, where conflicts persist and violence remains a common approach to address any form of differences, the lessons of peace and nonviolence from these historical incidents remain relevant. The rise of extremist ideologies, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation are constant reminders of the devastating consequences of violence. The world needs to embrace the power of nonviolent dialogue and conflict resolution to address complex geopolitical issues.
In the contemporary context, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of escalating violence and the importance of dialogue for conflict resolution. The conflict, which began in 2014, has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions of people. It has strained international relations and raised concerns about regional stability. While international sanctions and measures can exert pressure on aggressors, they fall short of addressing the root causes of the conflict. To achieve a lasting solution, dialogue and diplomacy must take precedence over military actions.
The world must draw inspiration from historical events and visionary leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and other practitioners of peace and nonviolence. The power of dialogue for conflict resolution must be recognized and prioritized, even in the most challenging and turbulent times. Nelson Mandela(1918-2013), the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and statesman, spent 27 years in prison for his activism before becoming the first president of South Africa. He strongly believed in peaceful means to bring about change and said, "If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner."
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), the American Civil Rights leader, championed nonviolent civil disobedience to combat racial injustice and segregation in the United States. He believed that love and understanding were key to overcoming hatred and violence. King famously said, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
(The writer is Programme Executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti)
