Chapter IV

Relevance of the Study

As we have read in our previous chapter we compare and we distinguished the difference

between Violence and Nonviolence. But in this chapter we will see and explore more the

Relevance of this study in our present world right now. The concept of Mahatma Gandhi and this

philosopher and His concept was not new to us. His concept explains that Nonviolence is a

philosophy, an existing theory and a practice, a lifestyle, and a means of social, political and

economic struggle as old as history itself. From ancient times to the present times, people have

renounced violence as a means of resolving quarrels. They have selected instead for cooperation,

conciliation and reconciliation, thereby resisting violence with a militant and uncompromising

nonviolence and respect for the integrity of all human beings, friends and If we look into the present

society from the practical point of view we can realize that in outer look Gandhian concept of non-

violence has become invalid today. Nobody in the present society is interested to practice this

philosophy. Critics of Gandhian philosophy also strongly argue that concept of non-violence is

remain as mere an ideology, it has no practical use. But it is not true, the concept of non-violence

may not have practical use in present society or we may not follow it, but for the survival of

mankind, for establishment of peace and harmony, for development of civilizations the concept of

non-violence is the only solution through which we could attain our goal.

Nonviolence provides us with tools, the positive means to oppose and stop wars and

preparations for war, to resist violence, to struggle against racial, sexual and economic persecution

and discrimination and to seek social justice and genuine democracy for people throughout the

world.
 In a very real sense, nonviolence is the leaven for the bread that is a new society freed from

cruelty and violence, a world in which persons can fulfill their individual potentials to the fullest.

In the preceding chapters, we have pursued to expose Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence.

Some applicable questions remain almost unanswered: Does Gandhi’s philosophy have

any relevance in our contemporary world? Especially in our families? Schools? Societal? Social

Workers/DSWD?, Religious Congregations?, Government and Political leaders?, Social Media?

Does His Philosophy Important and significant in our Society?

Gandhi provided the world with his timeless philosophy. It was not meant for the

independence of India only. Nonviolence is itself normative. It applies to any situation. Gandhi’s

nonviolence remains an authentic source of normative personalism meaning that it aims first of all

to re-instate the dignity of the human person. He was a fearless advocate of the dignity of the

human person. This involves recognizing the unique endowments of the human person-in-

community and providing a foundation for Human Rights. He is therefore called the emancipator

of the troubled. He helped millions of the discriminated poor to discover meaning in life and live

a life worthy of the true human calling. The clarity of the conviction of the transcendental goal of

everyman led him to affirm the dignity of the human person at every level. He aimed at a Theo-

anthropocentric society where the human person was at the center of the social order. No doubt,

Kesavulu sees Gandhian Trusteeship as an “Instrument of Human Dignity”1

Though Gandhi is dead, his philosophy remains alive. No doubt Jones reminds us “Gandhi

is not finished. He is a living power, more powerful in death than life”. 2Gandhi presents to us

through his principles, the means of fighting for civil rights. In the face of oppressor nations,

1
Y. KESAVULU, Gandhian Trusteeship as an “Instrument of Human Dignity: Gandhi Magazine, Vol. 25, No.
4, Jan – March 2004.
2
S. E. JONES, Gandhi Portrayal of a Friend, Nashville: Abingdom Press, 1948, 151.
Gandhi advises us to simply withdraw cooperation with the conqueror, and accept the

consequences. Though some will be murdered, they remain martyrs in the movement. The jails

would be overflowed and become unreasonable, for those jailed would be heroes of the new nation

emerging. The jails would be the training ground, the classroom, for the new leadership. All the

time, when the oppressor becomes oppressive, he would become weaker and all the time, the

oppressed would resist the oppressor with the spirit of nonviolence, he would become stronger. It

would be a losing battle for the oppressor and he would have to succumb, be converted or collapse.

Gandhi’s greatest achievement lies in the fact that he used this philosophy to overcome the system

the British had set up in India.