Mahatma Gandhi’s wise words, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” suggest that when violence becomes the solution for violence, it leads to destruction of the whole world. Therefore, it is vital to understand that responding to violence with even more violence does not lead anywhere. Instead, the challenge can be handled with love. As Martin Luther King Jr. rightly said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Although these words are true, why do we then not follow them? Why is violence prevalent on the face of the earth? After all, violence does not beget love, it begets even more violence.
Nations at War
This is quite evident from our history. You pick up any historical text and you will understand that violence doesn’t lead anywhere. Every time we have responded to hatred with hatred, it has led to a catastrophic end. Let us take the example from “Fighter,” a 2024 Bollywood movie directed by Siddharth Malhotra. It portrays the infamous Pulwama attack by Pakistan on India in 2019. The movie showcases how Pakistan violently killed many officers of the Indian army to which India retaliated with an aerial strike on the most prominent military base in Pakistan. This attack further worsened the already strained relationship between India and Pakistan and is a perfect example of ‘Violence begets Violence’.
Additionally, other historical events exist to support this argument. One among them is the Pearl Harbor attack done by the Japanese on the USA during the Second World War. This attack on the US Naval Base ended up killing 2400 Americans. In retaliation of this attack, the USA used atomic bombs against Japan. The consequence? Almost two lakh innocent civilians who had no direct bearing to the war died and many were crippled forever. This is another sordid example showing that when violence is met with violence, it results in utter chaos, devastation and wreckage.
Violent individuals
Another citation can be of the terrorists and tyrannical rulers who have perpetrated violence on many people. But, what have they got in return? Needless to say- Violence!
Let us take 9/11, an attack on the Twin Towers in the USA, led by Osama Bin Laden. What did he get after spreading such fear and violence? Nothing but a ghastly death that no one could have ever imagined. The result of spreading terror among the masses boomeranged into a discreetly aggressive attack against him. The result? He was killed unapologetically!
Adolf Hitler, the German dictator who rose to power as the leader of the Nazi Party during the 1930s is another unforgettable example of how violence begets violence. With his anger, racism and discrimination against Jews, he spread a lot of violence and was responsible for the genocide of almost 6 million Jews at that time. Although it took some time, the kind of violence that he spread ultimately caught on to him. As the Soviet army closed in on Hitler’s battleground, Hitler, who had himself been the perpetrator of extreme violence chickened out and committed suicide. He knew pretty well what the Soviets had in store for him- VIOLENCE!
These and many more such examples are scattered throughout history and the lesson learnt each time is that violence leads nowhere. It ultimately catches back onto the culprit ruining him completely.
How can we break this cycle?
There has to be a stop to this cycle of violence because if this continues then surely with the end of humanity inside us, the civilization outside will also come to an end.
Learning from past mistakes will make way for a better present and promising future. Accepting others the way they are, respecting them and making slight accommodations here and there will ensure that we cohabit peacefully. Having compassion and love for our comrades and neighbours will create a world where violence is forgotten and love reigns.
Violence, no matter how necessary or justified, is still violence. There is no bigger crime than being violent to our fellow beings. As Albert Einstein has rightly said, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”
Hence, I strongly advocate that our future generations should be taught to settle differences peacefully so that no further catastrophes mar the face of the earth. Let us learn and practice ‘Peace and Love’ because violence only begets violence.
Writer : Mankirat Singh
Grade : 10 (Year 2024)
Place : Stockholm, Sweden
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