A Comparative Study of Approaches of Imam Khomeini and Mahatma Gandhi to Non-Violence

Recent developments in the world, particularly revolutions, coups and wars during the recent century, have led to the development of different theories about social movements. Perhaps, one of the latest theories that has been widely used in the closing years of the twentieth century is the theory of non-violence for bringing about social and political changes in different societies. Imam Khomeini and Mahatma Gandhi are among the leaders who used the theory of non-violence in their struggles. The present paper is an attempt to study the differences and similarities of the ideas of Imam Khomeini and Mahatma Gandhi about the concept of non-violence through comparatively method. The findings of this paper indicate that both Imam Khomeini and Mahatma Gandhi believed in non-violence and applied this method in their struggles; the idea of non-violence has its roots in the religious teachings the two leaders followed; and the anthropology of both the leaders, despite stemming from different fundamentals, gets close to each other and consequently leaves its impact on their method of struggle.