International Day of Non-Violence: Date, Importance, Theme

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In 2007, the United Nations passed a resolution to observe Gandhi Jayanti (October 2) as the International Day of Non-Violence every year. The objective is to “disseminate the message of nonviolence, including through education and public awareness“.

International Day of Non-Violence: Date

2024: 02 October, 2024 [Wednesday]
2025: 02 October, 2024 [Thursday]
2026: 02 October, 2024 [Friday]
2027: 02 October, 2024 [Saturday]

The resolution to observe Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary as the International Day of Non-Violence was proposed by the then Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Anand Sharma on behalf of 140 co-sponsors. During the proposal, Mr. Sharma quoted Gandhi and said, “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man”.

Mahatma Gandhi is not only the ‘Father of the Nation’ for India, but also a world figure because of his ideals of ahimsa and nonviolence.
He led the freedom struggle by propounding the idea of peaceful resistance against British rule and injustices.
He urged the people not to give in to violence and always stay true to the ideal of nonviolence even at grave risks to one’s life
He was an apostle of peace and a human rights advocate who gave India and the world the tool of Satyagraha to achieve legitimate political aspirations.
It is in recognition of Gandhi’s universalist principles of peace, tolerance and nonviolence that the UN accepted the proposal to observe the Day

Importance of the Day:

The International Day of Non-Violence serves as a vital reminder of the power of peaceful means to resolve conflicts and achieve social and political change. In a world fraught with tension and conflict, this day emphasizes the importance of fostering peace through dialogue, education, and cultural understanding. It reminds us that non-violent methods—protests, persuasion, and civil disobedience—have the power to drive significant societal progress. With many nations facing instability, spreading the message of non-violence has never been more crucial. This day invites individuals to explore peaceful solutions through creative outlets such as music, books, and art, encouraging inner peace and global harmony.

International Day of Non-Violence:

The year 2024 marks the 155th birth anniversary of Gandhi. The theme for this year’s International Day of Non-Violence is ‘The politics of ordinary people’.
The International Day of Non-Violence honours how Gandhi’s practice and legacy have influenced global, non-violent protests.
October 2 is also the birth anniversary of former Indian Prime Minister and freedom fighter Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Gandhi’s Quotes:

An eye for an eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
You must be the change you wish to see in the world.
Hate the sin, love the sinner.
Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.
Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
Non-cooperation with evil is as much a duty as is cooperation with good.

Theme:

2024: The politics of ordinary people
2023: The role of non-violence in promoting peace, justice, and sustainability
2022: End racism. Build peace
2021: Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world
2020: Harnessing the Power of Nonviolence to Reorganize Power
2019: Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world
2018: Traditions of Peace and Non-violence
2017: Ending Violence Against Children: Faith Communities in Action
2016: Harnessing the Power of Nonviolence to Reorganize Power