Ahimsa is not just physical non-violence-Mahatma Gandhi

In common parlance,we often associate ahimsa or non-violence with just physical non-violence.But,non-violence has several aspects.As Gandhi said in 1918,"satyagraha must be non-violent in thought,word or deed towards the enemy or among ourselves".Therefore,what we think or what we say is squarely related with the idea of non-violence.The title 'Mahatma' sits very well on Gandhi because of his emphasis on verbal non-violence too.

But why do we not treat verbal non-violence as the integral part of ahimsa?It is because unlike physical non-violence,verbal non-violence is intangible in nature.Those political leaders who claim to be pure Gandhian,often miss the fact that the unsavoury language that they use in day-to-day life goes against the Gandhian principles.Also the hate mongers who seek to divide people on communal lines forget that Gandhi was truly non-compromising on non-violence in every form-thoughts,words and actions.
For Gandhi,truth and ahimsa were not just for yogis,but also for the common citizens.This vindicates that non-violence furthers the democratic principles in a society rather than confining itself to the religious aspects.Thus,Gandhi espoused 'sweet persuasion' and 'beauty of compromise' in dealing with our opponents.Anyone who resort to physical harm,had failed to win the argument by using reason and rationale judgement.It is not to be forgotten that tongue is sharper than the sword.