International Day of Non-Violence has been commemorated on October 2 since 2007 in honour of Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, celebrated as Gandhi Jayanthi. It aims at acknowledging his novel modes of mass mobilisation in commitment to the principle of ahimsa.

It was Mahatma Gandhi who changed the very way political and other protests were organised with non-violence, or ahimsa, as the single most important principle. Non-violence coupled with civil disobedience helped end British rule in India, and this successful model has influenced modern civil disobedience movements across the world. The Dalai Lama and many others were inspired by his teachings and made a change without inciting violence. Since the 1940s many individuals and movements have adopted Gandhi’s principles.

In 1940-45, during t

See Full Page