SAH – ASTITVA: CO – EXISTENCE
Coexistence or sah astitva means learning to live together, to accept diversity, and implies a positive relationship with the other. Our identities are defined in relation to the other. When relationships are affirmative and equal it enhances dignity and freedom and independence. When relations are negative and destructive this undermines human dignity and our own self-worth. This applies to personal, group, and interstate relationships.
In modern political vocabulary, the term ‘ peaceful coexistence ‘ has been conceptualized as a strategy of survival and existence between the war in the literal sense and peace in the ideal sense. Peaceful coexistence in this sense means the peaceful relationship between states. With the development and the centralization of the state, coexistence between states and the non – interference in the internal affairs of other states has been a central tenet of state diplomacy.
Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru – the first prime minister of India outlined his conception of peaceful coexistence between the two superpowers in terms of the Five Principles or the Pancha Shila:
- Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty.
- Non – aggression,
- Non – interference in one another’s internal affairs,
- Equality
- Mutual benefit.
Coexistence as a paradigm should not only relate to inter-state relations but intra – state relations as well. Coexistence between different peoples, races, religious groups, clans, and tribes within a spectrum of identities is a great challenge for the 21st century. Coexistence between peoples has become imperative in the next phase of the evolution of civilization.
On the one hand the struggle for self – determination of peoples, a major factor in nationalist wars of the 20th century culminated in the completion of the decolonization process. Currently, civil wars and ethnic identity conflicts are challenges to the existing state system.
Also, read
- Visualizing a universal harmonious order in society
- Problems of differentiation
- Universal Human Order
- Comprehensive Human Goal
- Holistic Perception of Harmony At all levels of existence