Self-Defense & Violence Prevention Blog

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Gandhi Grandson Says Violence More Than Beating

Kathy Rumleski recently reported on a speech by Arun Gandhi. I include an excerpt:

Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, turned the tables at a London conference on children and domestic violence, asking delegates to consider how they may be violent.

“We cannot claim that we are not violent because we don’t go around beating up people,” he said yesterday at the International Conference on Children Exposed to Domestic Violence.

“We are violent in many other ways,” Gandhi told the crowd of 700, which included experts on violence prevention, at the London Convention Centre.

He called teasing, name calling and looking down on others passive violence.

Earlier, Gandhi, an international speaker, asked half the participants to make a tight fist and pretend they held a diamond. He told their partners to try to get the diamond out.

As they pulled on their partners’ fingers, he asked, “How many of you (simply) asked the person to open their hand? You see how violent we are,” he told the nodding audience.

“We have to recognize those weaknesses within ourselves to be able to change those weaknesses to strengths.”

Gandhi, 74, who peppered his speech with humorous anecdotes, said he was greatly influenced by his grandfather, one of the most revered supporters of non-violence in the last century.

Read entire article by Kathy Rumleski.

I’m not a pacifist. While I adamantly oppose offensive force/violence (e.g. rape, murder, theft, etc.), I whole-heartedly support the right to self-defense and the defensive use of force/violence (e.g. jailing rapists or using violent force to stop a murderer).

Nonetheless, I agree with much of the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. I believe that many times non-violent measures can have more of an impact on corruption than violence. I admire Mahatma Gandhi, and have the utmost respect for the positive impact he had on the world both in life and after death through his legacy.

From the article above, it seems that Mahatma’s grandson Arun Gandhi shares much of his grandfather’s character. I plan to learn more about Arun Gandhi, including his speeches and teachings. I like his point that violence encompasses more than just beating people up.

What do you think?

By | May 11th, 2007 | SHOW COMMENTS (2)

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2 Responses

  1. Kevin says

    His name is Mohandas, not Mahatma… please end the misinformation.

    Otherwise, a very nice article.

  2. Stellasblues says

    From the article above, it seems that Mahatma’s grandson Arun Gandhi shares much of his grandfather’s character. I plan to learn more about Arun Gandhi, including his speeches and teachings. I like his point that violence encompasses more than just beating people up.

    yeah, violence is indeed very prevalent.
    As a result of my life experiences I have had to research the causes of how someone could commit acts of violence on the ones they ‘love’ and the sad truth is that violence and aggression are learned behaviors, which our society seems to approve of applaud and encourage. It starts with words…and we all know they hurt , sometimes more than being beaten would. And any woman that has survived an emotionally abusive relationship can tell you it is a double indemnity…not only is your soul being crushed, but you can’t really SHOW anybody your wounds. Which makes it very hard to try to hold the party that did the damage accountable.

    Peace

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