In an interview with IRNA, Dr. Yoganand Shastri, while paying tribute to Imam Khomeini (r.a.) on his 20th passing away anniversary said: "He was a mystic and scholar who had always lived a simple life, without the remotest material attachments. He had understood the reality of this world and the worthlessness of its pleasures".
Imam, who led the Islamic Revolution of Iran victorious in 1979, was of the opinion that in order to succeed, ethical purity and knowledge should go hand in hand. In fact he considers knowledge without self-purification, to be the more damaging than anything else, said Shastri.
Due to the strong faith and practical devotion imbued with lofty Islamic aspirations, Imam Khomeini (R.A.) "without any army or fighter", uprooted the strong Western-supported dictatorship of the Shah.
Replying to a question on the similarities between Imam Khomeini and Mahatma Gandhi, Indian leader said: "There is certain degree of similarity between Imam Khomeini and Mahatma Gandhi. Role and contribution of Mahatma Gandhi in the freedom movement of India and Imam Khomeini's role to lead the Islamic Revolution of Iran victorious, were based upon non-violence.
"These two exceptional personalities were stern believers of non-violence, which is a philosophy and strategy for social change that rejects the use of physical violence", said Shastri.
Adding that they not only preached but practiced what they preached. Their lives were a glorious example of their thoughts.
They wielded the weapon of love and understanding, and succeeded to upturn even the strongest of the martial nations with it. Imam Khomeini and Mahatama Gandhi have left the world richer with a renewed faith in the dictates of non-violence, Indian leader concluded.