Are criminal
laws serving as a deterrent for hardened criminals and hooligans? Medha Patkar
rightly emphasized on the critical need to give primacy to human rights and
humane justice over legal justice. Dr Ram Manohar Lohia had said that Gandhi ji
is his Guru. Dr Lohia led the Congress Socialist Party that had its root in
Congress way back in 1934 for those who believed in socialism (presently active
as Socialist Party (India) led by Pannalal
Surana as its President and Dr Sandeep Pandey as Vice President). It is
important to understand that even though there were differences in some
viewpoints between Gandhi and Ambedkar, and Gandhi and Bhagat Singh, but all of
them had unflinching commitment to nonviolence. In Justice Singhavi's judgement
Bhagat Singh had also stated that we cannot end exploitation and injustice with
violence.
Medha Patkar said that the contractual system was opposed with non-violence and
satyagraha means by not only Gandhi ji but also by Baba sahab (Bhimrao Ramji
Ambedkar), Bhagat Singh, Marx, Dr Lohia among others. This is where the key
lesson lies for all of us who want a just and social order for everyone:
nonviolence and satyagraha.
only option now is satyagraha
Reflecting upon current governance and context, she said that the only ray of hope lies in Satyagraha. When government itself indulges in shrinking or closing spaces for dissent in a democracy, that is also a form of violence. Violence is also being resorted to in name of 'development' or in form of slapping false charges and jailing activists who are known for their unwavering commitment to nonviolence, justice and truth, or in form of interference with every pillar of democracy. It is important to understand that if we do not act rooted in Gandhi's Satyagraha then we will not be able to reach the goals we aspire to for a just and social order for everyone. Using any form of violence to reply to violent means can never be considered as a response, we need to clearly understand that. We have also learnt from our social movements and people's struggles that had we raised even one stone our campaigns would have met an early end. That is why real power and true hope lies in nonviolence and Satyagraha approaches of Gandhi. Absolute resolve, commitment and integrity of women and Adivasis of Narmada Bachao Andolan has been the backbone of the struggle. Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan (save homes, make homes movement) is another sterling example how people from different castes, religion, ethnicities, or regions united when over 75,000 houses were demolished. These are recent examples why nonviolence and Satyagraha approaches of Gandhi are not only relevant but the only path forward if we are to advance towards an equitable, just and fair world for everyone.
Bobby Ramakant - CNS (Citizen News Service)
(Bobby Ramakant is a World Health Organization (WHO) Director General's WNTD Awardee 2008 and part of CNS (Citizen News Service) and Asha Parivar teams. Follow him on Twitter @bobbyramakant or read www.bit.ly/BobbyRamakant)
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