It's not easy to be on the wrong side of the fence, especially when the fence is as barbed as one among religious groups in India.
We all blame the political outfits and extremist groups for the inception, cultivation, and frequent aggravation of the communal hatred. However the actual acts of violence are carried out by the people who aren’t exactly the most ardent participants at the regular activities of such fanatic groups and parties. Considering individual thought process and differences in decision making abilities among a population, mass hysteria and the process of losing all the senses, mercy and humanity must have a number of compelling causes and catalysts. This article is an attempt to pinpoint these factors with a solution oriented approach.
Being out there in the middle of communal frenzy and deadly hatred, it’s very normal to take a stand and be in the extreme corners and loathe the other side with a heart full of suspicion and dread. Taking sides may solve a problem or two for a small group of people but when we are talking about finding a remedy that would ensure lasting peace, we must have a group of people who refrain from taking the sides. We must have people among us who would invent ways to help us rationalize our behavior and facilitate us to tolerate contrasting perspectives. It sounds very primary, yet it's rare in practice. We seldom come across a person (Hindu or Muslim) who would even consider (respect comes much later) opinions from the other group.
Almost all of the arbitration groups of our times end up blaming one group or other and indulge in faultfinding activities throughout their existence. People in decision making capacity fail to realize that these groups not only impair the communal coexistence but also empower the extremist groups on both sides by providing fresh ammunition every time they publish a report lashing a particular community. Truth is important, so is justice, nevertheless undermining human lives and wellbeing by publishing exaggerated and sensational news stories is the most heinous crime. I believe failure to communicate openly without the fear of offending each other has exasperated our situation in places like Gujarat and other hatred infested areas. Tolerance is an overly preached topic in this context. However, the factors and behavioral examples that facilitate tolerance aren’t discussed openly and often enough.
To be able to respect an alternative perspective is a rare gift in a society that reveres the collectivism and group thinking. We have been driven to achieve amazing successes through unity and group efforts, and it also ensures that the digressive behavior wouldn't be very well received. Black sheep behavior and offbeat thinking is often criticized to an extent that creativity seizes early in the childhood development in such communities.
to be continued..
We all blame the political outfits and extremist groups for the inception, cultivation, and frequent aggravation of the communal hatred. However the actual acts of violence are carried out by the people who aren’t exactly the most ardent participants at the regular activities of such fanatic groups and parties. Considering individual thought process and differences in decision making abilities among a population, mass hysteria and the process of losing all the senses, mercy and humanity must have a number of compelling causes and catalysts. This article is an attempt to pinpoint these factors with a solution oriented approach.
Being out there in the middle of communal frenzy and deadly hatred, it’s very normal to take a stand and be in the extreme corners and loathe the other side with a heart full of suspicion and dread. Taking sides may solve a problem or two for a small group of people but when we are talking about finding a remedy that would ensure lasting peace, we must have a group of people who refrain from taking the sides. We must have people among us who would invent ways to help us rationalize our behavior and facilitate us to tolerate contrasting perspectives. It sounds very primary, yet it's rare in practice. We seldom come across a person (Hindu or Muslim) who would even consider (respect comes much later) opinions from the other group.
Almost all of the arbitration groups of our times end up blaming one group or other and indulge in faultfinding activities throughout their existence. People in decision making capacity fail to realize that these groups not only impair the communal coexistence but also empower the extremist groups on both sides by providing fresh ammunition every time they publish a report lashing a particular community. Truth is important, so is justice, nevertheless undermining human lives and wellbeing by publishing exaggerated and sensational news stories is the most heinous crime. I believe failure to communicate openly without the fear of offending each other has exasperated our situation in places like Gujarat and other hatred infested areas. Tolerance is an overly preached topic in this context. However, the factors and behavioral examples that facilitate tolerance aren’t discussed openly and often enough.
To be able to respect an alternative perspective is a rare gift in a society that reveres the collectivism and group thinking. We have been driven to achieve amazing successes through unity and group efforts, and it also ensures that the digressive behavior wouldn't be very well received. Black sheep behavior and offbeat thinking is often criticized to an extent that creativity seizes early in the childhood development in such communities.
to be continued..
posted by da_az at 11:30 AM
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