Sunday, February 24, 2008

Are we tolerant?

We take pride in saying we are Indians and native to the land of mahatmas who preached and practised non - violence and Ahimsa. The time has come for some introspection, really. Look at the increasing number of 'street justice' incidents rampantly seen in our country, especilally in Bihar. What is really happening to us?
Well, the savage instinct is in all of us, the instinct to survive, to harm, to injure and to kill. But where is the redeeming feature that is also there in us - the ability to restrain. Where has thou gone restraint, the much needed redeemer, the only balm to all our instincts of savagery.
At times i wonder if we are willingly going barbaric so much so that it seems fashionable today. All the TV Channels continue to beam such gory incidents in the name of news and in the process perhaps augment their ratings also. What about the damage that such telecasts have on impressionable minds? A speeding car driver attempting to kill an engineer on duty in broad daylight was horrible. The mob venting its fury on an accused in Bihar was even more horrible.

Where has the spirit of tolerance gone? Where are those finer sensibilities that we associate with human beings? What has changed us so much - that we have become so horribly barbaric? Who's got the answers?

2 comments:

  1. one more bites the dust. it is indeed difficult to resist the temptation. we are full of views and emotions that are waiting to burst out. what is needed is a forum to put across the feelings and get comments- in support and some who may differ. all in all, an experience that is worth the time and effort. so, welcome to the world of blogging. naresh rao

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  2. thanks naresh and you are right. we all have our own opinions and yes.. we need a forum to express them and we have got one now. You are right again when you say people will differ... and they have every right to. we may not accept everything that is said but surely we can be receptive and more importantly tolerant to other views. I think that is what we need very badly today, tolerance- although it is a dull virtue.

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