Gandhi’s grandson speaking twice in Bucks County on nonviolence

The grandson of the late Indian Leader Mahatma Gandhi is visiting Bucks County to advocate for peace and nonviolence.

Arun Gandhi will be joining The Peace Center of Langhorne on Sunday as part of the organization’s 35 anniversary for the “Speak Up for Peace” Campaign.

Gandhi, 82, advocates for total nonviolence across the world. He has spoken in numerous countries about the importance of peace and harmony.

According to Gandhi, there has been an increase in violence because people have been more selfish and greedy. Gandhi attributes this to today’s materialistic culture.

“We are always thinking about what’s good for us and what can we grab from the rest of the world,” he said, “and it’s that kind of attitude of selfishness and greed and all of these things that has resulted from this level of materialism that has brought us to this level of violence.”

Gandhi believes this societal attitude is what has led to so much disparity and exploitation in the world, ultimately creating more violence. In order to bring about harmony, Gandhi says large armies and weapons are not the answer. Instead, countries need to come together to make the world safer.

“Every nation thinks it can protect itself; it’s stability and security can be ensured by building up a strong army and having weapons of mass destruction. But, no nation in the world can ensure its stability and security if the rest of the world is going down the tube,” Gandhi said.

The activist says now is the time to reflect and strive for peace. His platform, which is based off what his renowned grandfather used to advocate, is meant to encourage individuals to promote nonviolence.

His advocacy has not been without controversey.  In 2008, Gandhi resigned his post at a conflict resolutiont institute at the University of Rochester after a blog he wrote for the Washington Post called Israel and Jews “the biggest players” in a global culture of violence.  After resigning, he called his own words “hurtful and contrary to the principles of nonviolence.”

Gandhi will be at a luncheon in Guru’s Indian Cuisine in Newtown on Sunday at 1 p.m., followed by a 6 p.m. dinner at the Cross Culture Indian Restaurant in Doylestown. Both events will serve as fundraisers for The Peace Center.