To meet the escalating challenge of hate speech, the relevance of Gandhian communication cannot be overstated
The Internet's rapid global connectivity has positively transformed communication and knowledge-sharing, yet it also poses challenges. Over 3.19 billion social media users can swiftly disseminate harmful content, leading to concerns about regulating online speech. As offensive messages proliferate, despite some measures, countries grapple with the dilemma of how to legislate effectively in the digital age, where the speed of online publishing is in sharp contrast with the sluggishness of regulatory mechanisms.
The ease and anonymity of generating online hate speech, amplified by social media, pose a global menace, transcending borders at minimal cost. Its enduring impact exacerbates societal divisions, fueling violence and discrimination. Recognized also by the United Nations, this crisis violates human rights, correlates with hate crimes, and propels extremist ideologies, even contributing to atrocities like genocide. Effectively addressing this peril is crucial to curtail ongoing disputes, preserve societal cohesion, and protect individuals from dehumanization based on identity factors. Further, hate speech, particularly prevalent in cyberbullying, inflicts diverse harm on young minds, also fostering intolerance. Multiple shreds of evidence prove that the digital realm initially celebrated for fostering connections, has of late transformed into a breeding ground for real-world consequences, where hate speech perpetuates bigotry among children and youth.
One would recall the American student Tyler Clementi's tragic suicide – a result of relentless online bullying due to his sexual orientation that further illustrates the profound consequences of hate speech. Further, the Christ Church Mosque shootings in New Zealand, where the perpetrator live-streamed the massacre after online radicalization, highlight the connection between hate speech and real-world violence. In India, several cases of lethal mob lynchings sparked by social media-driven rumours, such as ‘WhatsApp lynchings,’ exemplify the dire consequences of misinformation.
Amidst the escalating threat of hate speech, Mahatma Gandhi's Nonviolent Communication (NVC) philosophy – even after 76 years of his passing away – shines as a guiding light. Mahatma Gandhi was a skilled communicator, using words for profound social impact. Rooted in truth, nonviolence, and empathy, his approach centered on ‘Satyagraha’ — holding onto truth through love and nonviolence. This Gandhian communication model, prioritizing understanding and dialogue over confrontation, offers a blueprint for addressing conflicts without resorting to hate or violence.
Mahatma Gandhi communicated with simplicity, clarity, and unwavering conviction, making his speeches and writings accessible to all, regardless of education or social status. His unique ability to articulate complex ideas resonated with the masses, mobilizing them for the freedom movement. Through iconic speeches during the ‘Salt Satyagraha’ of 1930, where he called for ‘world sympathy’ in his battle of ‘rights against might’; or through his actions, when he called off the ‘Non-Cooperation Movement’ of 1922 as a result of violence in Chauri Chaura in today’s Uttar Pradesh, or during his ‘Quit India’ addresses in 1942, Gandhi inspired millions to join the nonviolent struggle against British rule. His communication wasn't just informational but a powerful moral appeal, urging peaceful action.
Mahatma Gandhi pioneered nonviolent communication, advocating it as a life philosophy rooted in love, compassion, understanding, and respect for all living beings. Beyond a mere tactic, he viewed nonviolence as a transformative force, inspiring global social justice movements. Gandhi emphasized self-reflection as crucial for empathy and understanding, urging individuals to contemplate their thoughts, feelings, and beliefs before engaging in meaningful communication with others. The renowned psychologist, Marshall Rosenberg, says that ‘Nonviolent Communication’ (NVC) aims to create a safe and respectful space for dialogue, where individuals can express their needs and feelings without fear of judgement or retribution.
In the context of hate speech, NVC can be used to de-escalate conflicts and promote understanding between different groups. By listening to the concerns and needs of those who engage in hate speech, NVC can help to uncover the underlying causes of their behaviour and constructively address them. By creating a safe and respectful space for dialogue, nonviolent communication can help to de-escalate conflicts and promote understanding between different groups.
Marshall Rosenberg further explains: “If we can identify and express our own needs and feelings without blaming others, we can create a more compassionate world”, which can lead to a more peaceful and harmonious society.
Experts have advocated for the use of NVC as a tool to counter hate speech. Arno Michaelis, former White Supremacist and founder of ‘Serve2Unite’ says, “Nonviolent communication offers a way out of the cycle of hate and violence that plagues our world. By listening to the perspectives and needs of those who engage in hate speech, we can begin to create a more peaceful and just society.”
Daryl Davis, musician and activist who spent years engaging with members of the ‘Ku Klux Klan’ and has had a firsthand experience to witness the power of NVC, feels that NVC can ‘transform hearts and minds’, for, “By listening to the concerns and needs of those who engage in hate speech, we can create a sense of empathy and understanding, which can ultimately lead to peace”.
Addressing hate speech in contemporary communication parlance requires embracing Gandhian principles. For this, prioritising truth through fact-checking and responsible journalism, fostering empathy through open dialogue, advocating nonviolence and tolerance, advancing education with media literacy, and engaging communities collectively, is the need of the hour. Mahatma Gandhi always highlighted ‘collaboration’, ‘active listening’, ‘respect’, ‘empathy’, and ‘forgiveness’ for effective use of nonviolent communication in all his campaigns.
Countering hate speech does not mean to limit the freedom to speak. On the contrary, it should mean striving to encourage, foster and protect freedom of expression as a universal human right, ensuring that measures to safeguard individuals and groups from being targeted do nothing to curb access to that right. As we commemorate the 76th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s martyrdom, his principles resonate more than ever in the face of the growing conflicts in the world.
(The writer is programme executive, Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Samiti; views are personal)
