Is Ahimsa a Param Dharma?
अहिंसा परमो धर्मः? We all have grown up hearing this famous line: “Non-violence is an utmost duty (Ahimsa Parmo Dharma)” , which is believed to be the founding principle of the Republic of India as its road to independence was paved with the asphalt of non-violence. Indian freedom struggle from 1915 (Gandhi Ji’s return to India) to 1947 was mostly based on ‘non-violence’. This was the time when Mahatma Gandhi’s popularity rose immensely and his ideology outspread the whole country. Gandhian ideology or more precisely the principle of ‘non-violence’ became the cornerstone of fledgling India. On every diplomatic front, India espoused the principle of ‘non-violence’ and characterized itself as the preacher of the same. But is ahimsa actually a param dharma? India’s independence journey says so. It is believed that the ‘weapon of ahimsa’ compelled the mighty British empire to eventually liberate India. And after witnessing the devastation caused by the two world wars (1915-191...