Dr Ela Gandhi enlightens students at UTS

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophies of non-violence and active resistance are essential to overcoming Islamophobia and terrorism according to his granddaughter Dr Ela Gandhi.

“Violence and hatred have a cyclical effect, I hate you, you hate me… The cycle continues unless we intervene,” she said.

Addressing students at University of Technology, Sydney, the South African anti-apartheid activist said in order to overcome intolerance we must challenge ourselves to hate the sin and not the sinner.

“What we see today is the opposite we not only condemn the deed and the doer, but we also extend that condemnation to a whole group of people with who we associate the doer. This is how we give rise to Islamophobia, race hatred and other prejudices,” Dr Gandhi said during the UTS:BUiLD leadership event.

Despite her hushed tone and gentle demeanour Dr Gandhi spoke passionately about the various forms of non-violent actions that can be utilised by students from economic boycotts, strikes to protests.
Dr Gandhi encouraged “future leaders” to look towards alternative methods to achieve long-term change which do not endanger human life.

“Strength comes from numbers, if we want to be successful we have to begin to mobilise, get people together and talk to people, develop organisations and strengthen organisations,” she said.
“We have had our turn…its the next generation that has to do the work…our hope lies in young people,” Dr Gandhi said.