How to end violence

Education must become the central objective in our society, as all subsequent behaviour or action by individuals would be influenced by it, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj ji

The recent case of communal violence that took place on Republic Day, where a young man was killed, has shocked the whole nation and has once again brought into focus the problem of violence in our society. For a country whose birth was inspired by the concept of non-violence, it is indeed very sad and shameful to note that violent behaviour in our society, especially among youth is increasing day by day.

One, however, feels disappointed to note that even today the cases of violence are treated mainly, if not exclusively, as a law-and-order or a security problem and the governments generally take only punitive measures against all such cases. However, a research done by social scientists and psychologists on various groups and various cross-sections of society, both rural and urban, amply suggests that all kinds of violence are, in fact, due to personality disorder. It is now clear based on the research that a person’s quarrelsome behaviour or his inability to get along with others or his nefarious way of solving his problems by use of force or violence is a kind of deviant behaviour which has to be dealt with at a psychological level rather than be looked upon merely as a law-and-order problem.

Those who have keenly observed the violent behaviour of men and women or have studied the pathology of violence would agree that the behaviour of individuals is generally due to the following factors — impulsive nature, lack of social interaction, decline in social status, paternal deprivation at an immature age, existence of double standards in the society, immature ego-functioning, sexual jealousy or sexual perversion, influence of bad company or  mass media which have preponderance of the element of violence, the competitive and stressful atmosphere, financial overstrain, vocational maladjustment or lack of job-satisfaction, stress associated with injustice, migration, hostile local environment, suspicion, unsatisfactory housing, certain somatic diseases or unhappy marital relations.

If we further analyse these factors, we will come to the conclusion that illogical beliefs, lack of control over one’s emotions, lack of the power of social adjustment and the lack of ability to tolerate are the main underlying causes that lead individuals to act or react with violence and vengeance. These point to the fact that lack of development of a peaceful, content and socially adjusted personality is the root cause of violence. Knowing thus the genesis of violence, our social, religious and educational institutions should make efforts as to give a peaceful personality to the individuals.

We all must realise that good or evil are in fact traits of the human soul and even after death these traits or sanskars are carried on to the next birth. These sanskars may change or become stronger as per the person’s karma in the next life. Hence, it follows that one may kill an evil person but one cannot destroy the evil in that person. It would instead increase due to feelings of hatred and revenge. Remember, an evil act is bound to be punished as per the law of karma in the present or the next birth because there is a natural justice system that works infallibly and eternally. Hence, one must never think that if someone avenges a wrong by doing wrong in turn, he/she will not suffer.The truth is that in this case, both the individuals will have to pay for their respective wrong actions by undergoing some suffering because any act done with ill-will towards others is violence and it is bound to bring sorrow for the doer. Hence, a person may escape the laws of the land but his karma will catch up with him sooner or later for sure.

Gandhiji showed us that non-violence could be the basis for collective response to achieve social or political goals. He also spoke extensively on the need to imbibe non-violence at an individual level, in thought and in action. This can be best achieved through early education within the family first, and then the school and finally society at large. Education must become the central objective in our society, as all subsequent behaviour or action by individuals would be influenced by it.

Today the need of hour is to create a mass awareness among the people to accept each other’s opinion or action and live in harmony with each other. People in power should realise that value-building, especially among the youth, is the biggest call of our times. They must develop a strong character so that even grave situations do not prompt them to take up the course of violence. For violent means never create harmonious ends.