India, April 20 -- The phrase "just war" and "just a war" differ profoundly. A single article "a" changes the entire meaning. One seeks moral justification; the other suggests indifference. Across centuries, wars have often been justified in the name of religion and power, raising a troubling question: can violence ever truly be justified?

Historically, religion has frequently been used to legitimise violence. In the first century, Jews faced persecution under the Roman Empire, culminating in the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple by Emperor Titus. Early Christians, too, were persecuted, tortured, crucified, beheaded, or thrown to wild animals, because they were seen as a threat to Roman authority.

This pattern continued in the 11th ce...