Constructive pacifism

The nations are overwhelmed with distrust and fear of one another. The only way to rid ourselves of the dread of war is to bring about a world government that will arbitrate, enforce peace and actively reduce conflict, writes C Rajagopalachari

- C Rajagopalachari

The inauguration of the Republic is an occasion when the people of India should reaffirm their resolve to be a force for world peace.

Before we end war, we should deal with the latest, most monstrous weapon that the physicists have added to the armoury of powerful nations. The physicists have raised the destroying angel out of nature's atom and now there is a fairly feverish race in preparations for this method of destruction! Along with the atomic race, there is a propaganda going on to persuade the peoples of the world that this new and C deadly weapon is a friend of peace in that its terrible character will deter wicked nations from challenging one another and hold them back from plunging into war.

There is also the tempting talk of constructive uses to which atomic research may lead.

All this is as unconvincing as the arguments in favour of competitive preparations for war that have always been advanced by war-lords as a real preventive of war. The atom presents all the horrors of bacteriological warfare with the added characteristic of sudden and widespread devastation unknown in the previous annals of warfare.

There is no room in this for any of the finer emotions and incidents of bravery, compassion and chivalry associated with war from old times and which have found a place even in recent times in war as we have known it hitherto.

The nations are overwhelmed with distrust and fear of one another...