Solidarity for peace and ecology: Condemnation of violence and destruction

By Dr. Mansee Bal Bhargava*
When the world is recovering from COVID but still looming with Climate Change and Capitalism impacts, violence and destruction are the last things people on this planet should resort to. The existence of war demands for thinking differently. The existence of climate change demands for thinking differently. The existence of capitalism demands for thinking differently. There are more efforts required to restore peace and ecology of the planet and its people than to do reckless damage like the current Russia-Ukraine tension through invasion.
While a war is a product of bad politics and good capitalism, around the world there is a rise in authoritarian rule politically and economically and ironically those are all led by men. The maps on transboundary conflicts triggered since antiquity show that men have been at the center of all the violence and destruction. Relating that with the historical events of wars across the world, it is no exaggeration to say that men in power have damaged the fabric of the society time and again leaving behind deep and dark wounds, most of which take generations to heal and some even never heal. In their aggression, it is also true that the non-combatant citizens alias the vulnerable voiceless women, youth and children are the most negatively affected. Time immemorial, the women, youth, and children are not asked their perception and preference for violence and destruction and are subject to imposition of the same. If they are asked, such violence will never occur in the first place. This hints that it is crucial for women leaders to take the charge of the big nations and big global decisions.
The wanton unwarranted attack on Ukraine is shocking for people across the world. The unwanted act is a disrespect to international law and jeopardizes the international orders. It is unfortunate and unacceptable that Ukraine’s sovereignty is attacked instead of engaging in discussions, dialogues, and debates to resolve the conflicting matters between the two states. “Our first and most pressing problem is how to do away with warfare as a method of solving conflicts….”, Margaret Mead.
There is no reason to support this or that side in a war situation because it is not a not a zero-sum game. Wars bring only losses! There is no win in a war for ordinary people and the planet. The win is limited to a handful of arrogant politicians and capitalists who see wars/conflicts as an opportunity to start over again to fix the situation by generating more profit. At the end of any war, left are the women widowed, youth and children orphaned, men injured, and the environment destroyed. This shows how the arrogant men are not thinking holistically. “All war is a symptom of man’s failure as a thinking animal”, John Steinbeck.
It is ironically noticed throughout history that while the human and economic damages are accounted for during and after such mass destructions; however, the damage done to the environment go unaccounted. Amidst the rising climate change induced resource and environmental distresses on land, water, air, flora and fauna, such deliberate damages by brutal interventions by humans cannot be ignored anymore also because those further worsen the disparity among the privileged and the unprivileged humans.
What is happening there is horrific, and we call for urgent ramifications for the life of people on both sides especially women, youth, and children who were not asked for their views on this uncalled act. If we are thinking that the destruction is far from us and is not going to affect us, we are absolutely wrong and misjudging the fast and farfetched impacts in the globalized world. Not to forget that climate change and most economic transactions of the present times are global and one for all thus such events and disturbance are bound to impact all of us. Any further rapid loss of biodiversity, land, water and air is also a severe threat to the sustainability of the planet.
It is alarming to find the international agencies and surrounding countries struggling to negotiate peace with the Russian Federation. We request the UN, EU, NATO, the Russian Federation and any agency who can to urgently reinstate normalcy towards regular life of health, education, social and culture of the people of Ukraine. We also request urgent restoration of the damaged environment of land, water, air, flora and fauna. We express solidarity to all in Ukraine in their distressed time and embrace the communities in Russia who are speaking out against the invasion while courageously continuing to dedicate themselves to peace, dialogue and open cooperation.
We, the people, especially the voiceless women, youth, children, and vulnerable men deeply condemn military assault on Ukraine. We express deep concerns for the safety and welfare of the people affected in Ukraine and call on international agencies and surrounding countries to ensure the welfare of those affected from the conflict and chaos. We dissent on what is raging now because the stains of all bloodsheds have deep future consequences on each one of our lives as evident historically and logically.
At an individual capacity, we are committed to supporting those who are directly or indirectly impacted by these events. We intend to do everything we can to assist as effectively as possible those who reach us. As sensible and sensitive people, we are committed to contribute to a better world and to dedicate ourselves to the goals of peace, respect and liberty for all besides our individual best to not damage the environment, if not manage it properly.
Wake up to stand up in solidarity for peace and ecology! We need to walk and talk the path of peace and ecology. We shall do Satyagraha to demean the unethical act of war and defend the restoration of peace and ecology!
You are requested to please add your signature in this solidarity letter by March 02, 2022. The letter can then be sent to the United Nations, the President of respective countries (India in my case), the President of Ukraine, and the President of Russia.

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*Entrepreneur | Researcher | Educator | Speaker| Mentor. More info on her learning and sharing are at: www.mansee.in