Test of tolerance

We Indians miss no opportunity to boast off and ride high on being the largest Democracy of the world. Although it is debatable whether the brighter side of the Democracy is upfront or we are subjected to the negatives of the Democracy and its norms yet it is an upbeat feeling of pride that we dwell in a democratic set up. Debates, discussions and one’s right to express his or her feelings and emotions in this democratic set up sometimes take monstrous shape and magnitude leading to agitations and demonstrations which are hued in various political, religious and other sectarian factors.

The entire country witnessed during the last couple of days, the think tank of the country from Parliament House to the media chat room to the open public platforms busying itself to prove one point or the other, cursing and downgrading others in the process of deciding whether we are a tolerant society or not. But all such discussions ended up in mere blame game where no point is proved, no lessons are learnt and we remain where we were waiting for yet another issue to be debated and analyzed.

The debates and discussions apart, nobody can deny the flexible texture of our character which can, at will be molded into any shape, can be hued into any suitable colour that even the chameleons can have a lesson or two from us. We have mastered the art of bowing very easily to our convenience. At times we project ourselves extremely tolerant as such projections suit the need of the hour but at times even the tiniest provocation can disturb and shake us beyond any proportions and we lose no time in revealing our extreme intolerant face.

Can anybody deny that we Indians have tolerance beyond any comparisons as we have been tolerating the monster of corruption since ages and we have very conveniently learnt to live with that? We have been tolerating the persons misleading us as our respected leaders. All the unethical practices getting very simply ingrained to our character shows how accommodating we are in accepting things the way they are. Our insulated character towards various social problems ailing our society like dowry, castism, region and religion bias speak volumes of our accommodating nature. It is because of this tolerant behavior of masses that the political leaders of our country, at will exploit such innocence and tolerance of people to their unfair advantage. Is not it a height of tolerance that political leaders of our country continue befooling people, election after election, making us still proud of being part of the largest Democracy of the world. Our tolerance has grown to such magnitudes that now we have learnt or rather have been tamed to learn taking even the terrorist attacks very casually and lightly. A bomb blast here and there leading to a loss of life or two, a violation of ceasefire now and then resulting into death of civilians living in border areas is taken to be part of our lives now. What an exemplary tolerant behavior of Indian masses led by so tolerant political bosses holding the reins of the country.

Our vibrant character has the other side too. We are extremely intolerant when someone points to our mistakes. Our intolerant behavior comes to fore when someone calls a spade a spade. We can instantly become intolerant beyond any comparison when we are made to put the religion goggles on. A spade is naturally a spade but calling it so in the circumstances not suitable or convenient can put the caller in trouble as it becomes difficult to tolerate the political loss and ill effects of such bitter truth.

Can one dare to remark that the late night roaming of girls, their revealing attire, their over openness in dealing with the opposite sex can be attributed as one of the factors leading to increase in rape cases. If one dares at all he is made to take his words back and offer explanations and apologies for the same as such bitter truth is hard to swallow and digest.

Are we not intolerant when it comes to accepting daughter in law of foreign origin in Sonia Gandhi as she in our country has been subjected to every kind of taunt and remark over her Italian links? The persons opposing her on political platforms have never missed an opportunity to fire salvos on her on this front. Although she has adopted Indian culture and its norms in a much better way and proved herself as a better housewife, mother or a daughter in law than her Indian counterpart yet she has to painfully bear such remarks from Indian political class. She has gone through the agony and pain of losing her husband, her mother in law in this country yet our intolerant political bosses are not ready to accept her as the daughter of the Nation. Such behavior goes a long way in revealing our true character and intolerance ingrained into it. The teachings of Hinduism and vibrant hues of our rich and vast culture are made to feel ashamed of such behavior when our daughter in law is made to feel and be called an outsider.

The societal set up can very easily be tagged as intolerant when we cannot give regard and respect to the feelings, emotions and sentiments of others. Intolerance is when one is not ready to hear and see beyond one’s own perception or the way one wants to see or hear things. Hue and cry of such magnitude over Aamir Khan’s personal opinion vouches the intolerant behavior of our society tamed by the political class.

Tolerance is nurturing and respecting other’s sentiments, viewpoint and feelings and it can only be done when we stop tolerating the unethical, filthy and nefarious political designs of the persons leading or misleading us and very subtly learn to dwell into the positive and brighter side of the Democracy where every religion, region, caste and class enjoys the due respect and honour.

DR SANJEEV TRIKHA

ASSOCIATE PROF. M.M. (PG) COLLEGE

FATEHABAD 125050.