Violence has long been a defining feature of human history. From the great wars of the past to the ongoing conflicts of our time, societies across the world continue to be shaken by unrest, bloodshed, and political turmoil. Recent events in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, France, Myanmar, Ukraine, and Gaza, the Middle East and Africa remind us that the lessons of history remain unlearned.
Every nation faces its own circumstances, yet the results are tragically similar. Families are displaced, lives are lost, and generations are scarred. Governments collapse, but the vacuum of leadership rarely brings lasting peace. Instead, new power struggles emerge, often perpetuating the same cycle of violence that people originally rose up against.
The common thread binding these conflicts is a deep sense of disillusionment with leadership. Citizens demand accountability, transparency, and fairness. Yet leaders often respond with force or delay, widening the gap between rulers and the ruled. When frustrations boil over, what begins as peaceful protest is easily hijacked by violence. The narrative of change gets drowned in the smoke of burning buildings and the cries of those who grieve.
It is important to ask why, in the twenty-first century, human societies remain trapped in this destructive pattern. Is violence the only language that seems to bring about political change? If leaders had the courage to listen, perhaps such tragedies could be avoided. Dialogue and reform may not always provide immediate results, but they are far less costly than war and bloodshed.
For countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, the youth have emerged as a driving force for accountability. Their demands are not unreasonable: honest governance, merit-based systems, and limits to unchecked political power. Ignoring such aspirations only fuels unrest. Meanwhile, in conflicts like Ukraine and Gaza, international actors bear equal responsibility. Diplomacy, if pursued sincerely, could save countless lives, yet global politics often reduces human suffering to a bargaining chip.
History teaches that violence never delivers true justice. It may topple a leader or alter a border, but it leaves behind wounds that last for decades. If there is one lesson the world urgently needs to absorb, it is that lasting peace can only be built on dialogue, justice, and respect for human dignity. Sadly, if humanity has failed to learn until now, it is doubtful we ever will.