REV. FR. LAZAR ARASU: Non- violence is an art of peace

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an opinion piece by Rev. Fr. Lazar Arasu marking the International Day of Non-Violence, observed on 2 October. The article uses the day to reflect on Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and the broader idea that peaceful struggle can be a force for social change. It also draws on figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and St. Oscar Romero to present non-violence as a discipline that must be learned and practiced.

The essay argues that violence often begins in attitudes and intentions before appearing in actions, and it describes different forms of harm, including physical, sexual, emotional, spiritual and cultural violence. By contrast, it presents non-violence as a deliberate method that seeks justice without dehumanizing opponents. The piece says this approach requires sacrifice, courage, discipline and a willingness to pursue reconciliation rather than retaliation.

A separate section of the article connects the observance to current global reflection on armed conflict, using the withdrawal from Afghanistan as an example of the heavy human and financial costs of war. In that context, the writer says the world should be reminded that violence does not ultimately solve violence. The digest matters because it frames non-violence not only as a moral ideal but as a practical approach to public life, conflict resolution and community building.