Terrorism and Gandhian Response: Case Studies and Societal Perceptions

In the light of proliferation of terrorism in recent times and its use by both state and people for political ends, time has come to challenge its increasing use as a tactics. Further, use of only counter-violence to end terrorism is questionable as is evident from the 9/11 wars against Al-Qaeda and the subsequent rise of ISIS. Motivations and violent beliefs behind terrorism cannot be addressed by violence alone. In this backdrop, Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of Truth and Non-violence is relevant as it provides the premise for building alternative responses to terrorism. Gandhian response thus developed is used for analyzing definitional dilemmas of terrorism, its root causes and the measures adopted by state with reference to Islamist terrorism. Responses to 9/11 America, 26/11 Mumbai and13/11 Paris attacks has been compared from Gandhian perspective. Interestingly, societal perceptions towards terrorism and Gandhian response, obtained through a survey substantiates central propositions of the work.