Ahimsa Mahatma Gandhi: Perspektif Tokoh Hindu di Malaysia (Ahimsa of Mahatma Gandhi: Malaysian Hindu Scholars’Perspectives)

Abstract

Ahimsa, konsep tanpa kekerasan mempunyai pengaruh yang besar samaada dalam dunia akademik, agama, politik dan pergerakan sosial. Ia telah menjadi bahan kajian oleh ramai pengkaji dan juga pengamal politik atau aktivis yang memperjuangkan hak mereka. Makalah ini ditulis untuk mendapatkan perspektif baru berkenaan ahimsa Mahatma Gandhi iaitu daripada tokoh-tokoh Hindu di Malaysia.Objektifnya adalah untuk melihat ahimsa dari sudut pandang tokoh-tokoh agama Hindu di Malaysia, seterusnya menilaikan keboleh-terimaannya di dalam negara ini. Kajian ini berekabentuk kualitatif, di mana kaedah pengumpulan data yang digunakan ialah temubual responden. Temu bual dijalankan melibatkan tokoh-tokoh Hindu yang memegang jawatan penting di Ibu Pejabat pertubuhan mereka di sekitar Selangor dan Kuala Lumpur. Data-data yang diperoleh dibentang dalam bentuk deskriptif. Hasil kajian mendapati, ahimsa secara umumnya dapat diterima dalam pengamalan di Malaysia. Namun, terdapat perbezaan pandangan berkenaan pengamalan ahimsa Gandhi dalam konteks dan suasana di negara ini. Ini menunjukkan bahawa Gandhi dengan ahimsanya tidak diterima secara sepakat oleh tokoh-tokoh Hindu walaupun konsep ahimsa ini ada dalam agama mereka.

Kata kunci: Ahimsa; Mahatma Gandhi; Hindu Malaysia; tokoh Hindu; konsep tanpa kekerasan

Abstract

The concept of nonviolence or Ahimsa has great influence whether in academic, politic, religion and social movements. It has become a study material by many researchers as well as political practitioners or activists who fight for their rights. This paper was written to get a new perspective on ahimsa Mahatma Gandhi, from the Hindu figures in Malaysia. The objective is to look at ahimsa from the point of view of Hindu religious figures in Malaysia, thus evaluating its acceptability in this country. This study is qualitative, where the method of data collection used is interview. The interviews were held involving Hindu figures who held important positions at the headquarters of their organizations around Selangor and Kuala Lumpur. The data obtained are presented in descriptive form. The findings show that ahimsa is generally acceptable in practice in Malaysia. However, there is a difference in views on Gandhi’s practice of ahimsa in the context and atmosphere of this country. This shows that Gandhi with his aim is not accepted in agreement by Hindu figures although the concept of ahimsa is in their religion.

Keywords: Ahimsa; Mahatma Gandhi; Malaysian Hindus, Hindu scholar; non-violent