2 December 2008
editorial
INDIA'S founding father, Mahatma Gandhi may have long died but the non-violence that he preached for the resolution of conflicts is as relevant today as it was when he lived.
Gandhi, the world's most renowned pacifist, was born on October 2, 1869 and is widely credited with having forced the end of British colonial rule over India in 1947 using his ideals of peaceful resistance.
He also engaged in a peaceful battle against the India caste system and spoke strongly against South Africa's apartheid system in the 1890s.
In fighting colonial rule, Gandhi always advocated the use of peaceful means. He argued that violence only led to more violence and the best way of resolving differences was dialogue.
Although it took long for India to gain its independence, freedom finally came and the struggle was not as bloody as it would have been had Gandhi championed a violent struggle.
Sadly, Gandhi did not live long after India's independence. He was a victim of the violence that he preached against when he was shot dead by extremists who never supported his idea of peaceful co-existence. However, his teachings never died.
Many of Zambia's leaders, including former vice-president, Simon Kapwepwe studied in India and were greatly inspired by Gandhi's pacifist philosophy.
Little wonder that many African nationalists including Zambia's liberation heroes borrowed from India's experience and the wise teaching of that country's founding father.
In 1964 Zambia finally got its independence following years of British colonial rule and despite a few violent protests, the struggle largely appealed to reason.
Even today, as President Rupiah Banda stated when he met the new High Commissioner of India, the values borrowed from Gandhi have remained Zambia's pillar of resolving conflicts peacefully.
Since independence from Britain in 1964, Zambians have differed on many occasions but never has the country resolved any of its problems through violent means.
We need to continue along this peaceful path as the country continues on its democracy path.
Many countries are today at war simply because of pride by some leaders, who for selfish reasons advocated violence in the name of trying to bring about fair play and justice.
Zambians hold dear the peace that the country has always enjoyed by continuing to be guided by the ideals of great men like India's Gandhi.
As Gandhi always preached, no amount of injustice justifies violence.
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