Violence in Hong Kong
One of the central features of democracy is the non-violent transfer of power. By resorting to violence in the name of restoring democracy, Hong Kong protesters have lost their way. They are now definitively ant-democratic.
Mahatma Gandhi laid out clear perimeters for non-violent protests: 1. No one should be allowed to attack anyone during the protests 2. No public and private property should be damaged 3. The protesters should be willing to compromise 4. Slogans used by the protesters should be non-offensive.
Gandhi believed that even the most violent conflict could be resolved peacefully if the protesters reacted non-violently. He called it Satyagraha — the struggle for truth, And Gandhi delivered India’s freedom without taking a single British life.
When the Hong Kong pro-democracy activists started their peaceful protests, it looked very promising. Here was a group of peaceful marchers demanding that the authorities revoke an extradition law, and Hong Kong’s Beijing-appointed administrator met them half-way by suspending it. This could have been a starting point for further negotiations.
But then the protesters increased their pressure and turned increasingly violent. Although a small minority of protesters turned to violence, they were vocal enough to disturb the peace and the police returned the violence with tear gas and water cannons, and now the whole city looks like a war zone.
Chinese President Xi Jinping deserves our thanks for not sending his security forces to crush the violent protesters, despite speculation in the Western media about an imminent crackdown. President Xi must have realized that any such intervention would destroy any chance to resolve the conflict peacefully. He has proven to be a statesman of great standing.
By resorting to violence, the Hong Kong protesters have made a mockery of democracy. They must abandon their violent methods and open their minds and hearts to non-violence and compromise.
Otherwise, they will cause enormous damage to their cause. They must stop throwing petrol bombs and explosives at the police. They must not become the authors of their own misfortune.