The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
The International Day of Non-Violence aims to spread awareness about the philosophy and strategy of non-violence through education and public awareness. Mahatma Gandhi led the Dandi Salt March and the Quit India Movement in 1930 and 1942, respectively, and was also vocal about eliminating the age-old practice of untouchability, caste discrimination, and women oppression
HISTORY
According to General Assembly resolution A/RES/61/271 of 15 June 2007, which established the commemoration, as the International Day of Non-Violence. The resolution by the General Assembly asks all members of the UN system to commemorate 2 October in “an appropriate manner and disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness.
It was in January 2004 when the Iranian Noble Laureate Shirin Ebadi had proposed the idea of the International Day of Non-Violence. The idea attracted the attention of many Congress leaders and they called upon the UN in 2007 to adopt it.
BACKGROUND
Mahatma Gandhi gave the world the philosophy of non-violence or Ahimsa. It was Mahatma Gandhi’s firm belief that only a non-violent movement can achieve the highest objective of freedom. “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man,” Mahatma Gandhi had said.