Ahimsa Yatra - Journey for Non-Violence

BY Mr. Muni Lok Prakash "Lokesh" (Terapanth)

People would not have believed the miracle had they not witnessed it. Even today thousands of people are looking for reasons to the changes in the scenario of Gujarat. Gujarat has been exposed to a lot of violence in the recent past: where people were burnt alive in the Godhra and later when many people were shot in Akashardham. The tragic incidence at Godhra had repercussions that were horrific. Thousand of people were killed brutally and life was summarily dismissed with a single bullet or raging fire. Bereaved and homeless one sought refuge in rescue camps. The economy broke down. The whole world condemned in the incident. The Prime Minister of India was forced to accept before the world that he could not face them.

Yet, just a few months later people all around the world were surprised at the tolerance  displayed by the people after the incident at Akshardham. The governance of state was in the hands of same leaders,  same police, and same people and yet there was a great difference in the sequence of events- no loss of life, no curfew, no financial losses and terror-stricken refuge rescue camps.

Why this change? What brought around this behavior in the period of six months between the violent incidents of Godhra to Akshardham?.

This miraculous turn of events is in no small measure due to the Ahimsa Yatra of Acharyashree Mahaprajna. It seems unbelievable and so some people hesitate to give credit. At the same time others ask, even if they have to give credit, as to what could possibly be the divine powers in Acharyashree that caused such a turn of events.

Acharya Mahaprajna, the philosopher and spiritual Seer, knows and applies the divine truth that war is first initiated in the minds of the people. It finds conclusions in the battlefield or in war. Acharyashree launched this yatra of visiting many small villages, towns and cities primarily to communicate with the people, to address the core of their hearts. According to him, traits of violence can be found in the mind. He believes that the right type of meditation can bring about a change in this trait, a change in the mental attitude and this is what he is trying to effect during the course of the yatra. Can we not see a snapshot of this in the aftermath of the Akshardham incident?

Generally thought and practice and defined as two banks of stream, which never meet. Moral values are to bridge this gap. Acharyashree seeks to instill values of peace and Ahimsa during the yatra.

It is difficult for the new generation, and understandably so to believe that the frail dhoti clad Gandhi Ji could actually harness a whole battalion without a single weapon. Today after 50 years it is difficult to believe that a Gandhi- like man has appeared to appease the masses in Gujarat when it is facing difficult times in the name of the religion. On May - 2002, Acharaya Mahaprajna led his followers of a few hundred monks and nuns into Gujarat from Rajasthan. At that time in numerable followers and disciple pleaded with the great monk not to enter the territory plagued with the communal violence. Acharayashree was amused. He said that only a fearless person can talk of ahimsa. If followers of ahimsa should succumb to fear then what happens to the fate of a common man? He reiterated his decision, to enter Gujarat by saying, "I will go to Gujarat because there is an utmost need for Ahimsa there."

The people of Gujarat were however still nervous. There was insecurity and fear in their minds. They were divided into two parts; they either put a "786" or an "Om" to symbolize their religion and thereby seek some protection and security.

Communal unity was not a topic of discussion in those times for hatred was reigning. But Acharya Mahaprjana was undaunted. He addressed a seminar in Sidhpur of Gujarat and another one in the world famous business center of Unjha. As soon as the yatra reached Ahemdabad communal unity conference were organized to keep unity and peace. Dr. Roop Kumar Agarwal, founder of Chandermani Hospital organized these conference. The message of peace exuded from the spiritual leader with his very presence and more with his fearless and clear enunciation of human values.

Then there came a time when the media got very worried. The Jagannath rath yatra was to be taken out. Will there be violence? Should the Rath yatra be stopped? Acharaya Mahaprajna clarified the issue. This is a procession that has taken place every year for the past 112 years. To stop it this year would leave a negative impact on the minds of people. So he himself came forward to support it. He was so simple and clear that the procession was whole-heartedly welcomed by the Muslim community. After this success people of Gujarat began calling him, "a messenger of humanity and peace, the second Gandhi of Gujarat."

Touched and inspired by these efforts of Acharyashree, the President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam met him ignoring all protocol. Similarly, the deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani, Congress President and Lader, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the supremo of RSS, Sh. K. C. Sudarshan traveled to Gujarat and met Acharyashree to discuss the adoption of Ahimsa as a national policy.

Ahimsa is not a mere slogan but a great mission for the seer. He has achieved great success in aborting the Planning Commission's recommendation to open 4000 new slaughterhouses.

The whole world, not just our society should feel proud of his contribution to humanity. Our heartiest good wishes for the Ahimsa Yatra as it enters its second year.

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