Search the Internet          Tips

Grandson Preaches the Mahatma's Message

Arthur J Pais

'Many times I have wondered if more people are interested in Mahatma's philosophy in America than in India.'

Arun Gandhi's suspicions could be right -- at least on American campuses. For over a decade since he established the M K Gandhi Institute of Nonviolence in Memphis, Tennessee, Arun Gandhi and his wife Sunanda have addressed hundreds of colleges and schools across America, preaching action-oriented nonviolence.

And so it was yet another day to discuss nonviolence and social change when about 250 students and academics came to hear Gandhi on April 9 in Austin, Texas. The previous day over 400 people had joined him in a peace rally down Congress Avenue.

Arun Gandhi's lecture, 'Why the Gandhi/King Dream Remains Unfulfilled', was delivered barely a week before an unarmed 19-year-old African American boy wanted for a number of minor crimes was killed by the police in Cincinnati -- and protests by the African community turned into an orgy of violence for several days, resulting in night curfew for nearly a week -- and destruction of property worth millions.

"We have become a selfish society," Arun, a grandson of the Mahatma, said in Austin as he discussed the increase in widespread violence. He talked about World War II and how the philosophy of hate has remained despite the defeat of the Nazis.

Education about violence and social change are paramount, he insisted. Social integration held the key to many of today's problems, he said.

"Neither in India nor in this country have we really achieved any sort of integration," he said. "We should be willing to share things."

Government-mandated integration will not solve the tensions, anger and suspicions that divide ethnic groups and countries, he stresses often. On the other hand, education could achieve what law the cannot.

"Peace has to come from the heart," he says.

The M K Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence was founded in 1991 when Arun Gandhi and Sunanda provided seed money for the Institute through the sale of Mahatma Gandhi's letters to his son, Manilal, and daughter-in-law, Sushila -- Arun's parents. Some Gandhians were outraged at the sale of letters. "But see what good it has brought about," says Arun Gandhi.

Many of his talks and workshops are attended by people who have lost someone close to them at the hands of gun-happy teenagers or criminals.

Bernadette Ruiz, the wife of Keith Ruiz who was killed during a drug raid two months ago, attended the Austin peace rally. She hoped the Mahatma's message would reach thousands of young people who "must bond together and the pass the message of peace".

The Institute, which gets a modest grant from American organizations and churches, is hosted by Christian Brothers University.

Many of the Institute's educational programs are aimed at conflict prevention, anger management, and relationship- and community-building. It also offers after-school sessions for students in high-risk neighborhoods.

In response to Arun Gandhi's visits, Empire State/SUNY and Cayauga Community College initiated recently a university course to foster a joint, city/school 'town and gown" effort at community nonviolence.

In Portland, Oregon Friends of the Gandhi Institute have begun study and application of Mahatma's work. San Antonio, Chicago, and Atlanta based groups also sponsor Institute fostered nonviolence work that is ongoing in their communities.

Arun Gandhi is also involved with San Diego-based Tariq Khamisa Foundation founded by the father (Azim Khamisa) of a murdered teenager and the grandfather (Ples Felix) of Tony Hicks, the murderer who was also teenager. The murder took place in 1995.

Azim Khamisa, who is also inspired by the Mahatma, rejects the eye-for-eye philosophy.

Today, with encouragement from Arun Gandhi and others like him, Khamisa and visit scores of schools in San Diego area speaking against violence and guns.

"With people like Arun, there is always someone to give us hope," says Azim Khamisa.

For more information, contact: gandhiinstitute.org; (901) 452-2824

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report