[Answered] “The power to transform the world flows from the collective non-violent energies of ordinary men and women.” Comment.

Social change remains as necessary as ever in the present world. Humanity stands at cross-road today. Many are worried about the catastrophe that humanity faces if we do not act with restraint and reason. The problems like mass poverty and unemployment, the demoralisation that poverty leads to and the inadequacy of the accepted techniques of growth and development to solve these problems have compelled people to think in terms of a new approach to these problems. Mahatma Gandhi has always advocated a non-violent social change based on collective non-violent energies of ordinary men and women.

Significance of collective non violent action in instilling a social change:

1. Gandhian approach to resolve differences through non violent means remains relevant in light of conflict with in India as well as global level. An institutional approach to Gandhian method to ensure state backs the community and groups which want to resolve differences through Gandhian Methods like establishing committees of eminent citizens etc.
2. India has seen several social protests since independence by various groups. There is demand for separate states e.g. for Gorkhaland demand, insurgency, left wing extremism etc. The protests sometime are violent and lead to loss of life and property. In such context Gandhi’s approach to bring social change in gentle way is still relevant. If protests and Social movement can be achieved through his methods of Non-violence it will ensure the conflicts are not further escalated.
3. In global era new conflicts are emerging e.g. global terrorism, conflict due to illegal migration e.g. in USA is conceiving building a wall on USA- Mexico border, ethnic conflicts like Rohingya refugee crisis etc. These conflicts can be resolved through Gandhian approach of Non-violence and Satyagraha.
4. India is a diverse country with divisions along caste, culture and ethnicities. The diversity presents challenges due to competition for resources and need for protection of group identities e.g. language, cultures etc. Such conflicts can be resolved through peaceful gentle Gandhian approach.
5. An important feature of social change is the sense of belonging and group consciousness. Such consciousness can be brought about through active participation of the ordinary men and women.
6. Social change lead to the formation of an entirely new social, economic, and political order and thus must be based on collective change.
7. It is understandable that the social movements involve collective action instead of individual action. The objective of a social movement is to bring about or resist social change in the society.
8. Social movements often arise with the aim of bringing about changes on a public issue, such as ensuring the right of the tribal population to use the forests or the right of displaced people to settlement and compensation.

Gandhiji had visualised these problems and emphasised non-violent collective action of ordinary people to solve it. He adopted novel ways such as ahimsa, satyagraha and his use of the charkha in the freedom movement. He suggested solutions of the problem that this country is facing should be resolved by involving masses so that the process of growth and development enables even the lowliest to get deeply involved in the process of growth and development and prevent misuse of the process of growth for sectional and group interests.