The last few days and weeks have been a sad commentary on seeing a nation getting divided.
Like it or not, want it or not, only two words have dominated all the headlines of late:
असहिष्णुता and Intolerance
Like it or not, want it or not, only two words have dominated all the headlines of late:
असहिष्णुता and Intolerance
You know there is something seriously amiss if, despite what's going on with our (and the global) economy, the Paris attacks, and umpteen other far more important things, we seem to be hellbent on fighting about where there is tolerance or not, in our country.
The only thing we seem to be doing, is to make intolerant attacks against each other - making it an us vs, them ugly spat fest, where we simply can't tolerate any remark against our side!
If we can leave aside and forget our respective political affiliations or camps for a moment, what does that do or say about us as a nation?
Irrespective of whether one likes it or not, we are today at a state where we, as citizens of a nation that prides on its inclusiveness, are taking positions on which side of the fence they are.
I mean, what are we achieving by doing so?
I understand politicians jumping over each other to make a killing and score points for themselves.
Unfortunately, practically speaking, why should one expect any different or any better from them?
However, what bemoans us?
We, the people of India?!
What stops us from being impartial and objective, at least when it comes to national interest?
Are we doing a good job of uniting the country in our own little way by doing (or not doing) whatever we can or are our actions or inactions creating fissures, negativity and divisiveness within people, within the nation?
I am sorry.
I am sorry I cannot relate to either of the two positions:
Not the Hindustan Hindus ka hi hai nor the India ab (hi) intolerant ho gaya hai!
I don't agree that those who think India has become intolerant need to be thrown out to Pakistan, nor do I believe that intolerance has come to be only now.
Doesn't the fact that people are talking about intolerance, debating it, protesting against the perceived lack of it, convey something in itself?!
Also, if India is truly as tolerant as it always has been, why are we getting so touchy about each other's camps?
Are you pro-Kejriwal or pro-Modi?
Are you "sickular" or "communal"?
We might have a preference or bias towards any of them, but how better are we than those who are milking people like us, to talk and fight amongst ourselves?
Look at your social media feed today.
Look at any lunch/coffee table discussion.
Look at any news channel's coverage.
Aren't we running each other down too much for too little?
Isn't it time that we stopped such divisive talk and talked meaningful stuff?
Today is 26/11.
If there is anything I would like all Indians to not tolerate, it is our unfortunate experience(s) of terrorism.
If there is anything we should not tolerate, it is inaction against those who are still unaccounted for, even 7 years after that horrific day.
If there is anything we should not tolerate, it rather be something we all stand for, it rather be something that units us, and not divides us.
For everything else, there must be tolerance and mutual respect for every opinion and for every point of view, if it already isn't there, that is.
If we have to consider, then let's consider objectively and dispassionately.
Let us choose to not tolerate anything other than:
No appeasement of ANY religion, no pandering to the vote bank of core/extremist Hindu or core/extremist Muslims, not making selective references to intolerance, keeping the same benchmarks, remembering the reactions and sense of outrage from the media, the intellectuals, and the public at large, during all time periods and not just after May 2014.
And once we consider all the opinions and still find some people at a divergent opinion, on the diametrically opposite side of whatever our stand/view/conviction may be, let us learn to co-exist peacefully, happily, and lovingly.
Without any hatred or ill-will while also ensuring its merits are made known, instead of it being misinterpreted as appeasement or weakness.
It seems like a funny irony (almost like an oxymoron) to say so in the same breath, but the only thing we should not tolerate, is intolerance itself.
