Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique speaks at a seminar at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban yesterday. Photo: Focus Bangla

Speakers at a seminar yesterday said while fight against violence would go on, the people must not forget to wage war against the elements that make way for violence.
Poverty, extremism, discrimination, racism and alienation are some of the root causes of violence and need to be addressed, they said.
The opinions came at the seminar jointly organised by High Commission of India and the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies in Dhaka University at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban marking the "International Day of Non-Violence".
At the seminar titled "Peace, non violence and democracy - The Gandhian principles", the speakers highlighted many of Mahatma Gandhi's inspirations, principles, beliefs and philosophies, referred to as Gandhism, as a way out of conflicts in the present world.
Though the great leader is gone, Gandhism can never be outdated no matter what people may say and believe. In this world torn by violence and corruption, Gandhi's philosophy is the only hope that keeps the human race going, the speakers said.
"Violence is everywhere and on the rise in Iran, Palestine, Pakistan and elsewhere," said Prof Kabir Chowdhury, "and therefore, we now need to follow Gandhi's footsteps and his principles, more than ever, as a way out of these tensions."
Gandhi, a pre-eminent political and spiritual leader of India during the country's independence movement, pioneered "Satyagraha". This is defined as resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, a philosophy firmly founded upon "Ahimsa" or total non-violence, the speakers said.
This concept helped India to gain independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world, they added.
Gandhi believed in the philosophy of non-violence to an extent where he was ready to give his life, the speakers added.
"After his assassination, many raised questions that his death was due to insufficient security measures," said Prof Anisuzzaman, "but here was a man who believed in peace and non-violence so passionately that he put his life on the line."
Gandhi believed in non-violence as a law of human society, a vehicle towards peace and true democracy, he said.
Former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman spoke at the programme as the chief guest. He said Gandhi's footsteps and principles should be followed in our everyday lives to seek a way out of violence and conflicts that riddle the world.
Prof N Radhakrishnan, chairman of Indian Council of Gandhian Studies, Delhi, said non-violence is a subject that needs to be thoroughly studied and researched to achieve what Gandhi was seeking.
He said Gandhi should not be treated as a saint but rather be remembered and followed as a revolutionary, who used non-violence as a tool and practice to set examples for generations to come.
Other speakers at the seminar urged India to resolve disputes with Bangladesh through non-violent ways rather than killing Bangladeshis along the borders.
Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique chaired the programme.
High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Rajeet Mitter, Prof Dalem Ch Barman of Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, Dhaka University Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Harun-or-Rashid and Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre Director Ankan Banerjee were also present at the programme.
The International Day of Non-Violence was observed in the country yesterday as elsewhere across the globe.
The United Nations in 2007 declared October 2, the birthday of Gandhi, as the "World Non-Violence Day".