In a world increasingly torn by division, conflict, and disconnection, the message of Mahatma Gandhi is more urgent than ever, declared United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres during a commemorative event hosted by the Permanent Mission of India to the UN on the International Day of Non-Violence.
Observed on October 2, Gandhi’s birthday, this international day serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of non-violence — a principle Gandhi lived, not just preached.
Speaking through a specially delivered message, Guterres warned of a “troubling erosion of our shared humanity,” citing the disturbing trends of rising violence, humanitarian crises, and disregard for international law.
“Civilians are bearing the brunt of conflict, and the foundations of peace are under threat,” he said. “Violence is displacing dialogue, and hatred is overpowering compassion.”
But amid this bleak reality, Guterres offered a call to action inspired by Gandhi’s values.
“Non-violence is not the weapon of the weak — it is the strength of the courageous. It’s the power to resist injustice without hatred, to confront oppression without cruelty, and to build peace through dignity — not domination,” he emphasized.
India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, reinforced the urgency of Gandhi’s message, stressing that it remains a guiding light — not just for India, but for humanity at large.
“Mahatma Gandhi’s message continues to guide us toward a world where dialogue triumphs over division, and compassion prevails over fear,” he noted.
Echoing these sentiments, Nepal’s Ambassador to the UN and President of ECOSOC, Lok Bahadur Thapa, called Gandhi a “symbol of peace and moral clarity” — values the global community must urgently embrace in a time of climate disruptions, polarization, and growing inequality.
“We must reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism, collective action, and unity,” Thapa urged, noting that Gandhi’s call to live simply, resolve disputes through dialogue, and respect nature is more relevant than ever before.
A Call for Reflection, A Moment for Humanity
In a world where division is often louder than unity, this commemorative event wasn’t just a tribute — it was a plea. A plea for each of us to pause, reflect, and reignite the values of empathy, respect, and human dignity.
Gandhi’s legacy is not frozen in history; it is alive — waiting to be acted upon in our daily lives, our communities, and our global leadership.
Let us not wait for conflict to reach our doorsteps before we realize the importance of dialogue. Let us not wait for humanity to crumble before we choose peace. The message is clear: non-violence is not passive — it is active, bold, and transformative.
