Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai<\/p>\n
Today, October 2, 2023, the United Nations is observing \u2018International Day of Non-Violence\u2019 which is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. The day was established on June 15, 2007, according to United Nations General Assembly Resolution A\/RES\/61\/271. The UNGA resolution states that the day is an occasion to \u201cdisseminate the message of non-violence…through education and public awareness…and reaffirm the desire for a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence\u201d Mr. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary General of the United Nations said, \u201cLet us remember Gandhi\u2019s wise counsel: \u2018Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization.\u2019 Let us heed his words today and re-commit ourselves to this essential purpose.\u201d
\nPresident Joseph Biden said during G20 meeting is New Delhi, \u201cMahatma Gandhi\u2019s message of non-violence, respect, and truth matters today more than ever. May it continue to inspire the world and be the basis of the bond between our countries.\u201d
\nPresident Biden also said on August 15, 2022, that \u201cthe United States joins the people of India to honor its democratic journey, guided by Mahatma Gandhi\u2019s enduring message of truth and non-violence.\u201d
\nProfessor Gene Sharp, a leading scholar on non-violent resistance articulated it the best when he said that \u201cNonviolent action is not an attempt to avoid or ignore conflict. It is one response to the problem of how to act effectively in politics, especially how to wield powers effectively.\u201d He further said that \u201cthere are three main categories of non-violence action: (1). protest and persuasion, including marches and vigils; (2). non-cooperation; and (3). non-violent intervention, such as blockades and occupations.\u201d
\nWe do not doubt for a minute that both Mr. Guterres and President Biden mean when they paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi. We simply want to say that both leaders must also heed to \u2018wise counsel\u2019 of Mahatma Gandhi what he said on July 29, 1947, \u201cI am not going to suggest to the Maharaja (Ruler of Kashmir) to accede to India and not to Pakistan. The real sovereigns of the State are the people. The ruler is a servant of the people.\u201d
\nMahatma Gandhi has also said that \u201cIf the people of Kashmir are in favour of opting for Pakistan, no power on earth can stop them from doing so. But they should be left free to decide for themselves.\u201d (Gandhi\u2019s Passion by Professor Stanley Wolpert, Page 247)
\nWhen Mahatma Gandhi was asked during his visit to Kashmir, what will happen to Kashmir after independence, Gandhi\u2019 response was simple, \u201cWhat will happen to Kashmir will depend on you, the people of Kashmir.\u201d
\nAnd when Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz, one of the most prominent Kashmiri historians and journalists asked Mahatma Gandhi in 1934, what the Maharaja of Kashmir should do, when majority of his subjects were Muslims. Gandhi responded via letter on May 5, 1934 that \u201cKnowing that Kashmir is predominantly Musalman (Muslims), it is one day bound to become a Musalman State. Therefore, a Hindu prince can rule it only by not ruling i.e., doing as the Musalmans want him to do or by expedient is more than 1 can judge (From the History of Struggle for Freedom in Kashmir by Pandit Prem Nath Bazaz, published by Kashmir publishing Company, 122 Kotla Mubarikpur, New Delhi, page 343).
\nSecondly, we would like to remind Mr. Guterres and President Biden that the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi, Nathuram Godse was the member of Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the host of G20 summit and the prime minister of India, Maranda Modi is also member of RSS. What a commonality between the two!
\nThirdly, Ms. Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, member of RSS and elected BJP member of Parliament said in December 2022 without any ambiguity that Mahatma Gandhi\u2019s assassin Nathuram Godse is a \u201cdesh bhakt\u201d (Nationalist). She said, \u201cNathuram Godse was a patriot, is a patriot, and will remain a patriot… those who call him a terrorist should look within… they will get a reply to this election.\u201d
\nFrom the above discussion, it becomes clear that Modi administration discreetly wants to put the foot on both camps. Image of Mahatma Gandhi to the world community and that of Nathuram Godse to Indian public. What an art of subterfuge!
\nLastly, the reports of various international NGO\u2019s and United Nations Special Rapporteurs show that the killing fields in Kashmir continue to be sown with the blood of women, children, and young boys. The United Nations and United States cannot simply stand by and allow India to continue to kill and torture and maim the people of Kashmir in this way. This must not stand. Perhaps now is the time for Antonio Guterres and President Biden to act on the vision of Gandhi and bring peace to the region of South Asia in general and in Kashmir in particular. They should realize that the time to merely try to defuse the tension between India and Pakistan is over. Now is the time to address the root cause of the tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad \u2014 the unresolved dispute over Kashmir.<\/p>\n
Dr. Fai can be reached at\u201d WhatsApp: 1-202-607-6435. Or gnfai2003@yahoo.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai Today, October 2, 2023, the United Nations is observing \u2018International Day of Non-Violence\u2019 which is the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. The day was established on June 15, 2007, according to United Nations General Assembly Resolution A\/RES\/61\/271. The UNGA resolution states that the day is an occasion to \u201cdisseminate the message of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[2331],"class_list":{"0":"post-359511","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-article","7":"tag-dr-ghulam-nabi-fai"},"yoast_head":"\n