PEACE ACTIVISM

PEACE ACTIVISM Reflections T HE following remark is from a letter of a person wishing to know the usefulness of the method adopted by some well-meaning persons. “Many people, who are probably well-meaning, say they are working for communal harmony—harmony between people of different faith communities. But basically what they are doing is fighting what is called ‘communalism’. They criticize people and groups who are spreading hate in the name of religion and issue statements and take out demonstrations when a particular community is attacked by members of another. In other words, while they say or think that they are working for peace, what they are essentially doing is condemning communalism and hate in the name of religion.” The solution for the above mentioned problem could be that instead of adopting the method of issuing statements against others or holding demonstrations one should explain to people that differences are part of nature. Rather than attacking members of other communities, one should adhere to the principle of mutual respect. People who seek to promote harmony and peace between members of different communities must educate people to accept differences, rather than becoming provoked or trying to eliminate differences. In the light of experience, the principle for communal harmony is based on mutual respect. In other words, the principle that people should adopt in this regard be: “We may have differences, but we will accord complete respect to each other.” Very often, people organize meetings in the name of promoting communal harmony, but these turn into communal debates. This is wrong in terms of method. The right way is that meetings for communal harmony should not be for eliminating differences, but, rather, for fostering the spirit of respecting each other in spite of differences. Protesting against those who engage in promoting what is called ‘communalism’ is not a successful method in terms of its results. Far from succeeding, it is only to make another mistake. Those who attack members of another community are at fault, and those who Those who preach peace must first be peaceful with themselves and with their surroundings.