Gandhi Jayanti 2024: Mahatma’s legacy of peace in a world teetering on the edge of large-scale wars

On October 2, India and the world celebrate the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, a figure synonymous with peace, non-violence, and moral courage. Gandhi's philosophy of ahimsa (non-violence) and his enduring legacy of peaceful resistance played a crucial role in India's freedom from British colonial rule. His message of compassion, tolerance, and unity remains relevant today as India honours the father of its nation.

However, as we commemorate Gandhi’s vision of a just and peaceful world, the global landscape is increasingly defined by division, conflict, and the looming threat of war. Just a day before the birth anniversary of the world's greatest advocate of peace and non-violence, Iran reportedly fired nearly 200 missiles at Israel in retaliation for the latter’s attack on several leaders from Iran-aligned armed groups. The development threatens a far broader conflict in the Middle East, even as the world reels under the impacts of a prolonged war between Russia and Ukraine.

This growing disparity between Gandhi’s ideals and today’s geopolitical reality raises pressing questions. Why is the world, after decades of advocating peace, slipping back into the dangerous arms of war? What lessons can we relearn from Gandhi's non-violent resistance in today's deeply polarized and conflict-driven world?

Gandhi’s vision of non-violence

Mahatma Gandhi’s satyagraha (truth force) and ahimsa were not just strategies for India’s independence but were meant as universal ideals applicable to humanity’s quest for justice. He proved that non-violence could be an effective tool against oppression and aggression, fostering change without bloodshed. Gandhi believed that every individual, regardless of their power or position, could influence the course of history by choosing love and empathy over violence and hate.

Gandhi's approach was radical in its simplicity. In a world rife with wars, colonial expansion, and racial discrimination, he stood for a path that rejected the need for armed conflict and encouraged reconciliation through dialogue and understanding. His principles influenced iconic figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama, who adapted non-violence to fight racial segregation, apartheid, and political oppression in their own contexts.

Yet, as we observe Gandhi's 155th birth anniversary, it is alarming how much the world has moved away from his teachings.

A world divided, the rise of global conflict

In contrast to Gandhi’s peaceful vision, the world today teeters on the edge of geopolitical and social collapse. Major conflicts have either escalated or persisted, leaving millions of lives in jeopardy. In addition to the Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah conflict, the war in Ukraine, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, Syria's endless civil strife, and rising tensions in the South China Sea (especially between China and Taiwan) signal that the global community is not only failing to achieve peace but may be actively regressing.

According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, global peacefulness has declined year-on-year for 12 of the last 16 years. Military expenditure is at an all-time high, and many nations are entangled in complex alliances and hostilities. Nuclear proliferation and the militarisation of space further add to the sense of impending catastrophe. Despite the existence of international bodies like the United Nations, which were established to foster dialogue and peace, their ability to prevent or de-escalate conflicts remains severely limited.

The failure of diplomacy and the rise of conflicts

Experts believe that the resurgence of nationalism and a sense of self-interest among nation-states are often coupled with authoritarianism. Leaders from powerful nations are openly rejecting international cooperation, pushing protectionist policies that isolate their countries while stoking internal divisions. In place of diplomacy, we witness inflammatory rhetoric, threats, and, at times, blatant acts of aggression.

These inward-looking policies and the closure of borders (both literally and figuratively) have weakened international alliances and hindered collaborative peace efforts. The breakdown of diplomacy in recent years is perhaps most evident in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, where negotiations for peace have repeatedly failed, escalating into a full-scale war that has drawn in global powers. Similarly, in regions like the Middle East, diplomacy seems like a relic of a bygone era, as deep-rooted enmities fuel a seemingly never-ending warfare.

In such an atmosphere, Gandhi’s insistence on dialogue, understanding, and empathy as tools for conflict resolution appears tragically absent.

Lessons from Gandhi: is there a path forward?

As the world commemorates Gandhi’s legacy, it’s essential to reflect on what can be salvaged from his teachings in today’s war-torn world. Gandhi never envisioned peace as a passive state but as an active, ongoing effort that required immense personal and political courage. His belief in sarvodaya—the welfare of all—argued for a world in which power is not derived from weapons or economic dominance but from mutual respect and cooperation.

One of the most crucial lessons from Gandhi’s life is that sustainable peace is not possible without justice. Conflict is often rooted in inequality, exploitation, and the failure of political systems to represent all citizens fairly. Today’s global conflicts are no exception; economic inequalities, ethnic discrimination, and the disenfranchisement of vulnerable populations all contribute to instability. Addressing these root causes through non-violent means, as Gandhi did, remains an essential but overlooked strategy.

The question that looms large on this day of reflection is whether the world can rediscover Gandhi's spirit of non-violence in time to prevent further descent into chaos. His message is not outdated, as some critics might argue, but perhaps more relevant than ever. The international community must return to principles of diplomacy, collective security, and dialogue rather than resorting to the tools of war. Civil society, too, has a critical role to play in resisting the drift towards conflict. Movements for environmental justice, racial equality, and peace activism, inspired by Gandhi’s methods, can and must push back against the war machines and nationalist fervor gripping many countries today.

Gandhi once said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." At a time when division seems to be the dominant narrative, Gandhi’s words remind us of the need for unity, compassion, and service to humanity as the only true paths to peace.

As India honours Mahatma Gandhi on this anniversary, the world stands at a dangerous crossroads. We are drifting away from the principles that Gandhi lived and died for—peace, non-violence, and justice. Yet, his vision offers a beacon of hope in these dark times. The global community must reflect on his teachings and re-commit to the hard but necessary work of non-violent resistance to hatred, division, and war. In doing so, we can perhaps pull the world back from the brink of collapse and move toward a future that Gandhi would be proud of.