Can Violence be justified in the Pursuit of Freedom?

This is another write-up submitted by me for an English assignment. Thought I'd upload it - since the blog has been starving since a year! Would like to know your views.

IS VIOLENCE JUSTIFIED IN THE PURSUIT OF FREEDOM?

Violence alone can never be justified. However, violence in the pursuit of freedom has plagued political philosophers for centuries. In every circumstance, when human rights have been denied beyond a certain extent, people have revolted violently. I believe that violence is wrong. Violence is inhuman. To take the life of an innocent victim is brutal. It is ruthless and savage. In it there is no benefit whatsoever.

But then a new question arises. Freedom. There is a tipping point in all humans, beyond which, no amount of perseverance can be withstood. It is the point after which the human body and mind cannot endure the oppression any longer. In response to this injustice, torture, and persecution, violence is the last resort of the desperate soul.

Thus, in the pursuit of freedom, violence can certainly be justified. Where there is injustice and oppression - violence can be the means to reclaim the rights that people deserve. For centuries, people have suffered at the hands of their superiors; and beyond a certain point, no amount of patience and forbearance could help them - violence has been the last resort.

History reveals to us several inspiring stories, where the oppressed have used violence to attain their freedom. 1400 years ago in Arabia, a minority group was forced to recant their religion and apostate from what they believed to be right. They suffered greatly at the hands of the corrupt tribal chiefs. Many of them were made to lie on the hot sand on their bare backs and rocks were rammed into them. Many were killed, the first martyr being a woman. Food and shelter were denied to them. It was more painful for them to see their own families and relatives abuse them. Yet, they suffered without objection. And in spite of all this, they continued to preach their message to the barbarians of their land. For 13 long years this continued and hardships and adversities increased. Eventually, the savage Arabs decided to kill the leader and his new "cult". To protect themselves, this minority group which had now steadily increased in number, finally agreed to fight the pagans and defend their beliefs. For freedom of religion. Their philosophy was simple. When you are tortured and your lives are in danger, fight back just as the oppressors fight you. An eye for an eye; a tooth for a tooth. But if you exceed in this violent strife - you will have transgressed. This was the violence that won them their freedom and their basic rights.

When man is struggling in the pursuit of freedom and basic necessities - aren't the men denying this freedom themselves inhuman?  Is it not befitting for them to suffer at the hands of those they oppressed? Don't they deserve a taste of their own medicine? If yes, then violence is justified!

As Abraham Lincoln had rightly said, "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves."

The struggle for freedom is not an easy one and comes at a heavy price. In man's frustration and desperation, he is ready to pay this price. Nonetheless, during any act of violence, man cannot be at peace with himself. Violence and aggression will only make the world blind.

True courage is about knowing not when to take a life, but when to spare one.

- Maryam Shaikh