A vow of unity (2/3)

April 12, 2023

In The Vow of Hindu-Muslim Unity, Gandhi wrote about some of the ways that the major religions of India could work toward unity. His descriptions of their conflicts are reminiscent of major political parties of America; they each have their playbook of how to annoy the opposition.

Gandhi identifies three points of conflict. First, he writes, “Members of one community, when talking about those of the other, at times indulge in terms so vulgar that they but acerbate the relations between the two.” Anyone who has dabbled in social media has seen this sort of behavior; and it seems to have worsened the since 2016 and the election of Donald Trump.

So what is Gandhi’s solution? Rather than calling for a ban on inflammatory speech, he writes, “We must politely dissuade members of both the communities from indulging in bad language against one another.” It is only through compromise and mutual respect that real lasting peace can be made.

Second, Gandhi was concerned the escalation words might lead to. While many people and communities lived harmoniously, rumors could sometimes ignite a fiery outbreak of interfaith violence. Gandhi wrote, “in many places we see that each community harbors distrust against the other. Each fears the other.”

In 2023, physical violence between political parties is rare but not unheard of. Animosity is often demonstrated by the minority party through obstructionism. “When both try to do their duty,” Gandhi wrote, “then and then only would the long-standing differences between the two communities cease.”

Last, Gandhi discusses sacred cows — literally — and cautions against using the issue to drive a wedge between efforts for unity. Hindus complained that Muslims purposely killed cows in order to offend, and occasionally responded to these actions with violence. Gandhi scoffed, “no one who scrupulously practices the Hindu religion may kill a cow-killer to protect a cow.”

Two of the sacred cows in American politics are guns and abortion. Republicans and Democrats each use the possible threat to their sacred cow as a reason to inflame their base. “The other party will take away your (guns/abortions)! You have to vote for us unless you want that to happen!” Both parties feed this flame with incendiary legislative proposals. “Look, we’re attacking their evil cow! And right is on our side!”

It takes self-control to not respond in kind when faced with deliberate malice. The 30-day Gandhi challenge, and the monthly fast for peace, are opportunities to practice that self-control. By declining to be provoked, we as individuals can lead by example, and be the change we want to see in the world.

Just as Gandhi’s national days of fasting inspired a feeling of unity between Hindus and Muslims, the American Union is a potential bridge between Republicans and Democrats. To really strengthen unity, he suggested a vow. More on that in the last part of this series.

Can you think of a time that you ignored an insult?