Some time ago I suggested the formation of a Peace Brigade whose members would risk their lives in dealing with riots, especially communal. The idea was that this Brigade should substitute the police and even the military. This reads ambitious. The achievement may prove impossible. Yet, if the Congress is to succeed in its non-violent struggle, it must develop the power to deal peacefully with such situations. Let us therefore see what qualifications a member of the contemplated Peace Brigade should possess.
Harijan, 18-6-38
Ordinarily, the efficient running of a large volunteer corps based on force implies the
possibility of the use of force in the event of breach of discipline. In
such bodies little or no stress is laid on a man's character. Physique is
the chief factor. The contrary must obtain in non-violent bodies in which
character or soul force must mean everything and physique must take second
place. It is difficult to find many such persons. That is why non-violent
corps must be small, if they are to be efficient. Such brigades may be
scattered all over, there may be one each for a village or a mohalla. The
members must know one another well. Each corps will select its own head. All
the members will have the same status, but where everyone is doing the same
work there must be one person under whose discipline all must come, or else
the work will suffer. Where there are two or more brigades the leaders must
consult among themselves and decide on a common line of action. In that way
alone lies success. If non-violent volunteer corps are formed on the above
lines, they can easily stop trouble. These corps will not require all the
physical training given in akhadas, but a certain part of it will be
necessary.
One thing, however, should be common to members of all such organizations and that is implicit
faith in God. He is the only companion and doer. Without faith in Him these
Peace Brigades will be lifeless. By whatever name one calls God, one must
realize that one can only work through His strength. Such a man will never
take another's life. He will allow himself if need be, to be killed and
thereby live through his victory over death.
The mind of the man in whose life the realization of this law has become a living reality will not
be bewildered in crisis. He will instinctively know the right way to act.
In spite, however, of what I have said above I would like to give some rules culled from my own
experience:
Man often repeats the name of God parrot-wise and expects fruit from so doing. The true seeker must have that living faith which will not only dispel the untruth of parrot-wise repetition from within him but also from the hearts of others.
Harijans, 5-5-46
It is a mistake to blame the goondas. They never do mischief unless we create an atmosphere for them. I was eye-witness to what happened in Bombay on the Prince's day in 1921. We sowed the seed and the goondas reaped the harvest. Our men were at their back... We must resolutely discountenance the practice of absolving the respectable class for blame... The Bania and the Brahmana must learn to defend himself even violently, if not non-violently, or surrender his womenfolk and possessions to the goondas. They are a class apart, whether they are labeled Musalman or Hindu.
Young India, 29-5-24
The remedy against cowardice is not physical culture but the braving of dangers. So long as the parents of the middle class Hindus, themselves timid, continue to transmit their timidity by keeping their grown-up children in cotton-wool so long will there be their desire to shun danger and run no risks. They will have to dare to leave their children alone, let them run risks and even at times get killed in so doing. The puniest individual may have a shout heart. The most muscular Zulus cower before English lads. Each village has to find out its stout hearts.
Young India, 29-5-24
The would-be member of a Peace Brigade should come into close touch and cultivate acquaintance with the so-called goondas element in his vicinity. He should know all and be known to all and win section should be regarded as too contemptible or mean to mix with. Goondas do not drop from the sky, nor do they spring from the earth like evil spirits. They are the product of social disorganization, and society is, therefore, responsible for their existence. In other words, they should be looked upon as a symptom of corruption in our body politic. To remove the disease we must first discover the underlying cause. To find the remedy will then be a comparatively easy task.
Harijan, 15-9-40