The objective of the campaign is to control the growing culture of violence

M

umbai, January 9, 2019: Various civil society organizations and individuals in India plan to commemorate Mahatma Gandhi’s 71st anniversary of his death by calling on the nation to resist and confront the country’s growing culture of violence.

India celebrates 30 January as the Day of Martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi. The leader of the Indian freedom movement was shot dead by a Hindu extremist on that day in 1948.

The campaign is led by the India Unites for Non-Violence and Harmony, a non-political, citizen led campaign.

A NGO press release says Mahatma Gandhi has been assassinated by fundamentalist forces opposed to Swaraj’s idea of promoting nation-building on the principles of all citizens’ equality, Hindu-Muslim unity, and community harmony. Swaraj of Gandhi focussed on the hybrid essence of Indian nationalism.

The freedom movement, under Gandhi ‘s leadership, effectively organized and drawn people into the fight for independence against colonial rule: men and women, citizens of all religions, countries, speaking various languages, possessing varying castes, practices, customs, cultures, beliefs and inhabitants of both rural and urban areas.

He dreamed of an India where people lived together and respected the differences of each other; where the principle of non-violence would shape interactions, protests and negotiations, the statement adds.

Today, 70 years after independence, we are witnessing a rise in hatred and prejudices based on religion, caste, gender, sexuality, region and class. Society is becoming increasingly intolerant and violent. Communal violence, caste based violence and hate crimes are on the upsurge. As citizens we can no longer be silent spectators to this growing ill will, hatred and violence. We must come together to protect the secular, pluralistic and democratic fiber of the country.

The campaign appeals to all Indian citizens to observe one-minute silence at either 11 am or 5:17 on January 30 and take a pledge for non-violence and harmony.

It wants groups to prepare for the January 30 program by organizing peace rallies, awareness programs, public meetings, interactions in educational institutions and communities.

The campaign will organize a convention on non-violence and harmony on January 30 at Sophia Bhabha Auditorium, Breach Candy, in Mumbai. Eminent citizens, public intellectuals, media personalities, legal luminaries are expected to address the convention.

“We appeal on all citizens to come together through this campaign to build resistance against the forces of intolerance and to take the message of non-violence and harmony through different networks, organizations , institutions and social media platforms to millions of Indians,” the statement says.