5 leaders who proved non-violence is the greatest weapon to win any battle

Honouring Mahatma Gandhi, the United Nations had declared October 2, the birthday of the leader, as International Day of Non-violence. At a time when the world is caught in the quicksand of terrorism, the essence of Gandhian principles becomes even more pertinent.

As the world body celebrates Non-violence Day, here are 5 leaders who ushered in major social reforms by making peace and love and not war.

Mahatma Gandhi

The man who brought down an empire and freed his land of its tyrants, actually began his war by producing salt and making cloth on his own. He taught us what fasting can fetch us in our fight against the British. On March 12, 1930, his landmark 241-mile march to the sea to collect salt in symbolic defiance of British imperialism gave Indians the courage to start their Independence Movement. Along with a pack of 78 volunteers, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi paraded towards his destination village Dandi. On April 5, at the end of his foot march, he scooped up a handful of salt breaking the salt laws of the British Raj. This non-violence protest known as Salt March or Salt Satyagraha was a direct campaign of tax resistance which also went to inspire American activist Martin Luther King, Jr. during the movement for civil rights.

Henry David Thoreau

The 19^th-century intellectual’s essay titled Civil Disobedience actually reflected his own opinion about an unjust government. There he boldly questioned why should people obey a government who is partial to them. He too practiced what he preached. He refused to pay taxes that he thought to be unfair. This landed him in jail in 1846.

Nelson Mandela

Equality and freedom were his main concerns. His peaceful protests against the oppression of Blacks by the Whites saw him in jail for most part of his life but in the end that brought South Africa out of apartheid. His efforts united two races of the country during his tenure as the President.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

In the 1950s, America saw racial tensions which came down heavily on African-Americans. King stood against the segregation policy of America. But he always believed that love is an effective tool for social reform. Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of Ahimsa shaped up his thinking. He implemented the same policy to abolish segregation which later brought him international recognition. His ‘I Have a Dream’ speech woke up the nation to action.

Dalai Lama

The religious and spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists preaches about peace, compassion, love, happiness and non-violence. And he uses these virtues as a major tool in protecting Tibetans and their traditions that face threat from Chinese troops. For his consistent opposition to the use of violence, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

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