How is a slow, passive action better than a direct “hands on” approach?

Divyanshu

Nonviolence action is often connected to the word passive. The Passive Resistance word was used in the past by people who described it through the actions. Passive Resistance is an action under the wide umbrella of nonviolence.

In the aspect of it being a slow process, let us look at some examples of nonviolent actions throughout the history. In the late 1980s, people in Czechoslovakia had grown tired of their autocratic single-party government. The resistance grew strong and by the end of the year, on 17^th November 1989, they took to the streets organising demonstrations and protests, followed by a general strike. By late December around 500,000 student protesters had come out on the streets of Prague, to march against the government. The protest ended with changes in legislation around the end of December. And a few months later, democratic elections were held in Czechoslovakia after 1946. The entire action lasted for a month and brought a major change in the system.

The slow, time-taking method of nonviolence is a myth. A proper strategy taken with the goal in mind is required for any action. Nonviolence in itself is a direct, “hands-on” approach.

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