Homa Mungapen, coordinator at the Council of Religions, is of opinion that when it comes to non-violence issues, the animal kingdom is an excellent example to follow.

“Have you ever seen the animals hitting, or killing their likes if the latter have cast a look at their partners?
-- No, she says. But human beings do.

She finds this abhorring for, according to her knowledge of the holy scriptures – of any religious belief – the human being has been referred to as the supreme of God's creation.

“And here we are, demeaning ourselves by virtue of despicable actions like being violent towards fellow human beings,” she says.

According to Homa, the root cause of all acts of violence is people's incapacity of withholding and managing their anger. She strongly believes that human beings can very well control their anger, instead of allowing their anger to control them.

“However, I admit that for some people, such an attempt is no less than a challenge. Yet, I maintain, it is very much realisable. Where there's a will, there's certainly a way,” she says.

The problem of violence in the society is one which is creating much uproar, whether in Mauritius or elsewhere, she says.

“What is even saddening and tragic is that many a time, it is the woman who falls prey to the anger of the males,” she says.

This Wednesday 25 the world celebrated the International Day against Violence against Women. In Homa's viewpoint, it is not solely on that day that people should think over the whole topic.

“It is a poignant issue which deserves to be integrated in the daily myths of the Mauritians' lives. It is good to encourage familial harmony but certainly not at the detriment of justice,” she says.

At this, she reverts to the role that spiritual (and not just religious) practices can play in the daily lives of people. All religions of the world preach non-violence. According to Homa, the objective of religion is to act as a guideline in the lives of people.

“It is very unfortunate that many people practise only the external forms of religion, that is, going to the temple, keeping fasts, without actually understanding the basis of religion,” she says.

Had people abided by religious teachings, there would not have been problems like wife beating, rape, murders, amidst others, says Homa, to which she adds that religious bodies have a significant role to play in curbing the rate of violence in society. And that is why the Council of Religions has joined itself to the Ministry of Women, Child Development and Family Welfare, to work over possible avenues, and to sensitise people to a violence-free society.

“It goes undenying that we are living in a secular world. Yet, social, materialistic, spiritual and intellectual equilibrium is a must, if we are to live our lives correctly,” she says.