Speech by Dutch Minister F. Grapperhaus, Non-Violence and Mahatma Gandhi

Ministry of Justice and Security

Since 2007, the International Day of Non-violence is celebrated every year on 2nd October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi was not only the leader of the Indian independence movement but also a pioneer in the application of the principle of non-violence. The principle of non-violence – also called non-violent resistance – rejects the use of physical violence to bring about social or political change.  Gandhi continues to inspire non-violent movements for civil rights and social change around the world.

Full video of his speech:

The theory behind Gandhi’s actions, including encouraging massive civil disobedience to British law such as at the historic Salt March in 1930, was that “only means lead to just ends”; that is, it is unwise to try to use violence to create a peaceful society. Gandhi believed that Indians should not use violence or hatred in their struggle for freedom from colonialism.

According to the resolution of the General Assembly of 15 June 2007 establishing the commemoration, the International Day is an opportunity to spread the message of non-violence. The resolution re-affirms the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence and expresses the wish for humanity to grow towards a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence.

On 2nd October 2020, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Foundation organized the ‘International Day of Non-Violence’ in cooperation with the Municipality of The Hague, the Embassy of India and the Carnegie Foundation. The main speaker, Minister of Justice and Security, Ferdinand Grapperhaus, gave his opinion on the daubing of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Amsterdam in June this year.