Open letter to HE Mr. Vladimir Putin, President of Russia

 

HE President Putin,

Greetings from Varanasi, the cultural capital of India!!

This letter from the land of Mahatma Gandhi and Buddha coincides with the 355^th day of Russia – Ukraine war.

Excellency, your article in 2012 in an Indian newspaper The Hindu, mentioned that, “The Declaration on Strategic Partnership between India and Russia signed in October 2000 became a truly historic step."  Such a partnership between our countries defies the conventional interpretation of diplomacy which centres around maximising national interest. This declaration also realises the centuries old human values and traditions shared between our countries. Russia always endeavoured to ensure a peaceful India that marks its position among the nations of the world without fear from many powerful nations. Your country’s cooperation in the field of technology and energy led to peaceful use and strengthening national defence.

India’s conflict with its neighbours or support for establishment of a peaceful democratic government never ended up in occupation of land or subsequent brinkmanship. Differences those occurred with our neighbours were addressed diplomatically in a peaceful manner. India’s diplomacy is founded on the ideas of Gandhi, Sanatan and Buddha which are meant to promote human civilization in a non- violent manner. India’s efforts to strengthen Non-Alignment Movement manifests its continuous efforts towards a peaceful world free from hatred. My parents inspired by the great leaders of former USSR, named me as Lenin. Our tradition accepted it.

A book titled ‘Gandhi on War and Peace’, 1987, the author records that Gandhi "looked upon the problem of war as the most important problem which faced the contemporary world". Gandhi didn't accept distinctions between 'just'' and "unjust wars" - in his mind every war was unjust. He was firmly of the opinion that "war is not a morally legitimate means of achieving anything permanent".

Excellency, like many others, non-violence is not a mere philosophical principle, it is a way of live. We learn and relearn to live with it. It solves many internal dilemma and external conflict. It helps solving many challenges and mistakes we commit every day. We retrieve, regain and move on with dignity. It makes us generous and forgiving while remaining powerful and confident. To me seeking peace is not a matter of the intellect but of the heart, and true guidance comes from being ever ready to sacrifice one's self. Its practice requires fearlessness and courage of the highest order. I am painfully aware of my failings.

 As Gandhi in his writing in Young India (YI, 13-9-1928, p. 308) wrote, “I know that war is wrong, is an unmitigated evil. I know too that it has got to go. I firmly believe that freedom won through bloodshed or fraud is no freedom... Not violence, not untruth, but non-violence, Truth is the law of our being”. He continued his argument for a non-violent society, “A non-violent man will instinctively prefer direct participation to indirect in a system which is based on violence and to which he has to belong without any choice being left to him.... I belong to a world which is partly based on violence. If I have only a choice between paying for the army of soldier to kill my neighbours or to be a soldier myself, I would, as I must, consistently with my creed, enlist as a soldier in the hope of controlling the forces of violence and even of converting my comrades. (Young India, 30-1-1930, p.37)

Shri Karpatri Ji Maharaj', a great thinker of Santana Dharma in his book ‘Ram Rajya v/s Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh’, 1970, has underlined the contradictions between Russia and Ukraine, who is showing today. He also opposed the idea of Hitler and wrote extensively about its irrelevance and futility.

India has time and again urged Russia and Ukraine to choose the path of diplomacy and dialogue and end their ongoing conflict. Prime Minister Modi while building a case for immediate cessation of hostilities has also spoken personally to both the Presidents of both countries several times and appealed to them to seek a mutually acceptable peaceful resolution without interference from a third party. We in India look up to your great leadership and magnanimity as a global leader and request you to end your ongoing war with Ukraine. You must lead to recognize the inhabitability of a multi-polar world and concept of non -violence and supremacy of diplomacy.

I have not visited your wonderful country till date. Looking forward to visit both Russia and Ukraine when there is no war.

 

With Kindest regards,

Lenin Raghuvanshi

Grandson of Gandhian freedom fighter against colonial state 

रूस के राष्ट्रपति पुतिन को युद्ध के खिलाफ बनारस से एक खुला पत्र: https://junputh.com/voices/an-open-letter-to-russian-president-putin-from-varanasi/

 

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