Gandhi's grandson encourages non-violence

Photo by Peyton Hoge

Arun Gandhi, grandson of the world-renowned spiritual and political leader Mahatma Gandhi, said non-violence is an active philosophy against injustice. He spoke in Benton Chapel Oct. 2.

by Jessica Howard

Just three weeks after the terrorist attacks on the United States, Arun Gandhi, the grandson of the man who brought down British rule in India through nonviolence, condemned the acts of Sept. 11 while urging that the lessons of his grandfather not be forgotten.

"Today we are at a crossroads. We have seen in Sept. 11 what can be regarded as the worst aspect of human behavior," he told a crowd of students at Benton Chapel Oct. 2 -- the 132nd anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.

"Terrorism and criminal activity are cancer in the body of society," he said. They cannot be eliminated without rooting out their cause. Long- and short-term responses to the attacks are needed, as well as honest introspection about why the United States was targeted and whether changes are needed in U.S. international policy.

The address's title, "Nonviolence or Nonexistence," came from a 1945 prediction from his grandfather. The statement is true, he said, because losing one's humanity is the same as extinction.

Gandhi, founder of the M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence in Memphis, stressed that nonviolence is not passive, but is an active philosophy against injustice. Nonviolence empowers people to protest and is designed to change the mind of the aggressor, he said. "It doesn't mean we have to be doormats."

Those responsible for last month's attacks should be brought to justice, Gandhi said, even if that means taking actions against Saudi Arabia that might conflict with America's oil interests. Obtaining justice means "getting down to the bottom of it," even if it may hurt the economy. Justice can't be tempered by the country's economic needs, he said.

Americans are understandably angry in this time of uncertainty, Gandhi said, but urged against taking action in anger. "Once it's done, there's nothing we can do to take it back."

Comparing anger to electricity, he said its power can be useful if it is not abused. If it is abused, it becomes destructive. Anger must be channeled,

using its energy for good, he said.

During his speech, Gandhi used many anecdotes to demonstrate the positive effects of nonviolence. He told the story of a very untidy young man who began dating a young woman. They eventually fell in love and the young woman presented a rose to the young man to demonstrate her love. The young man was very excited about the beautiful rose. He went home to his messy house to find a vase to place the rose in, but the vase was buried under a pile of dirty dishes. He cleaned the vase until it shined and searched for a place to display the rose and vase. He cleaned his dirty dining room and placed the vase in the center of the table. He continued to clean the entire house until it was spotless.

"One act of kindness can have a ripple effect," Gandhi said, adding that compassion and understanding will lead to the end of crime and terrorism.

During a question-and-answer session following his remarks, Gandhi suggested students form discussion groups to unify the students and faculty to create a combined effort for understanding.

Born in 1934 in a South African commune established by his grandfather, Arun Gandhi lived in 1946-47 with his grandfather in India during India's struggle for independence from British rule. Without ever holding formal political office, Mahatma Gandhi successfully ended British rule using civil disobedience and nonviolent protests. He was assassinated in 1948 in India.

Arun Gandhi moved to the United States in 1988 to complete studies in race relations. In 1991, he and his wife, Sunanda, founded the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. The Institute's mission is to "promote and apply the principles of nonviolence locally, nationally and globally; to prevent violence; and resolve personal and public conflicts through research, education and programming."

The Benton Chapel event was organized by the student group Masala-South Asian Cultural Exchange. Other sponsors included IMPACT, International Awareness Committee, Shozo Kawaguchi, Student Government Association, Project Dialogue, Middle Eastern Student Club, Margaret Cuninggim Women's Center, SPEAK and the Dean of Students Office.