Leaders remembered Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, a pre-eminent leader of the Indian independence movement in the British-ruled India, as a preacher of non-violence and an inspiration across the world while marking International Non-Violence Day in the Capital on Sunday.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba recalled Gandhi as an extremely tolerant human being, stating that his beliefs were very difficult to find in the modern society where greed and violence has become the norm. “He is one such person who led a wave of movements by preaching non-violent means,” said the former prime minister.

“Violence was not a solution to any problem, nor will it ever be. Peace and non-violent acts can resolve any kind of disputes,” Deuba added, speaking at a function organised by Center for Democracy and Development and Takshashila Academy.

Gandhi, also considered the ‘Father of India’, was one of the architects of India’s independence from the British rule. Unlike other freedom fighters, Gandhi always believed in non-violent means to solve issues. He inspired thousands of individuals, which led to several movements for civil rights and freedom across the world through his teachings and ideologies.

Former Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand honoured Gandhi as the man who led politics of non-violence. “India witnessed communal disharmony soon after their freedom. But as the state deployed army to restore peace in some places, Gandhi would singlehandedly defuse such violence with his preaches,” said the Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader.

The United Nations had announced October 2, the birthday of Mohandas, popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, as Non-Violence Day. This year marked his 147th birthday. India also celebrates his birthday as Gandhi Jayanti by offering prayers and tributes at Raj Ghat, the memorial of the freedom fighter, in New Delhi.

Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy in Nepal Vinay Kumar termed Gandhi as the champion of India’s Independence movement. He also noted that violence would always lead to more violence. “The biggest problem India has is caste discrimination, a form of prejudice since birth,” Kumar said. He recalled Gandhi’s down to earth nature which could be seen by how he was seen cleaning other’s toilets and working with leprosy patients.

Jaya Raj Acharya, former Nepali ambassador to the United Nations, said how “eye for an eye turns the whole world blind”, as stated by Gandhi, was the message for everlasting peace across the globe.