People in power should realise that value-building, especially among the youth, is the biggest call of our times. By Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj ji
For a country whose birth was inspired by the concept of non-violence, it is indeed very sad to note that violent behaviour in our society, especially among youth, is increasing day by day. We all know that democracy has never been free from troubles and that is why since independence, we have been faced with anti-state elements, separatist tendencies and radical groups who have been up in arms. As we are rapidly moving towards urbanisation, the society is beginning to experience its negative fallout.
The recent violent agitation by a few communities in some parts of our country to seek class reservation has shaken the authorities and the civil society out of their wits. This series of deliberate, planned bloodshed attempted on our country's jawans, lawmakers and innocent civilians, and the blowing up of government property worth crores of rupees have been a matter of serious concern as they signal the growing culture of violence in our country. On one hand, we are threatened by terrorism from across the border and on the other, we face a much graver situation back home where our own countrymen are angry with the system. As usual, most of the intellectuals would blame the government for lack of development, growing unemployment among the youth in these regions and the resulting anger. However, these are part aggravating factors because in reality, violence and vandalism of such a high degree reflect a reaction forced out of someone who is convinced of being wronged by an arrogant system. Poverty or unemployment alone cannot fuel such radical, organised attempts; it is the hopelessness in the justice of the situation that makes people respond so recklessly. We must understand that this situation has not arisen overnight but is of our own making.
When democracy was born in free India, it came with the hope of including the voices of masses. But in many pockets of our country, public will was bought with money power, snatched by muscle power, openly manoeuvred by corrupt elements and not earned. So, in that sense, society driven by might is considered to be right, and that is why many young people, who had seen their families suffer a life of suppression and exploitation—physical, social and economic—saw violence to be the only way to make their voice felt.
It’s so pathetic that in a country known for its vast diversity and disparity, little has been attempted or rather done by the governments to cultivate the spirit of non-violence, ideals of secularism and the feeling of hope, security, emotional integration, benevolence and brotherhood. For the youth faced with growing challenges, the country has failed to institute a system that would guide them to take the ethical course. On the other hand, they are continuously being “misguided” by vested interests, alien ideologies, commercial cinema, television and internet which justify and glorify the culture of violence to avenge the “wrong.”
Gandhiji showed us that non-violence could be the basis for collective response to achieve social or political goals. He also spoke extensively on the need to imbibe non-violence at an individual level, in thought and in action. This can be best achieved through early education within the family first, and then the school and finally society at large. Education must thus become the central objective in our society, as all subsequent behaviour or action by individuals, would be influenced by it. Today the need of hour is to create a mass awareness among the people to accept each other’s opinion or action and live in harmony with each other. People in power should realise that value-building, especially among the youth, is the biggest call of our times. They must develop such a strong character that even grave situations do not prompt them to take up the course of violence.