Intolerance is natural to mankind – a great writer had said and it is very true. Most of us are averse to criticism. Very few welcome opinions/views different from ours and, much less, criticism of our actions. Even a polite or what is sometimes called brotherly correction of a friend or relative, is not taken in the right spirit. It does hurt our ego when we are censured, criticised or even corrected.
Dictatorships generally do not accept dissent and have no compunctions in stifling it by any means, legitimate or otherwise. However, democracies, like ours, also feel extremely uncomfortable with criticism of their performance and deeds. They know how to make their opponents or critics, including the media, toe their line. Often they show the power they wield and make their opponents understand what the consequences could be, if they refuse to oblige or continue their tirade against the Government. They have enough so-called independent agencies to set upon the reluctant and the fearless. The problem in our country is that there are too many ambiguities and loopholes in our rules and laws, which allow you either to escape or get caught. The Government can have it either way for you, depending on which side of the fence you are or decide to be. In the shameful treachery we witnessed, a few months back, the reasons were not so much the development of their constituencies, as it was to have sins of rape, unaccounted wealth and other illegalities promptly wiped off, once they join the BJP. These tactics are not so much to consolidate its position, but rather to decimate or do away altogether with the Opposition. Such actions, despite being highly unethical, have somehow paid rich dividends to those trying to find a way out of their misdemeanours. Unfortunately, there being hardly any politicians with clean slates, their vulnerability is easily exploited.
Silencing opponents and stifling dissent are not alone against democratic principles, but are often counter-productive, as was seen during Emergency, when Indira Gandhi failed to gauge the anger of the people, who eventually gave a drubbing to the Congress in the ensuing election. Our own Mahatma says that “Intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit” Though the BJP tried exercising similar controls during their first tenure in office, rightly or wrongly, they managed a still bigger representation in Parliament, much to the astonishment of the electorate including many of their own party men. Buoyed by this victory and armed with this brute majority, it is now bulldozing legislations with little or no discussion, with a demoralised opposition looking on as dumb spectators.
The BJP drums up regularly that there have been lesser communal riots in India during their tenure than in UPA rule. While this is true, undoubtedly intolerance has been on the rise, particularly from those who believe that they enjoy the protection of the Government in power. Fortunately, there have been sane voices from eminent citizens of the country expressing, more than once, their anguish over rising instances of intolerance. Some of them even returned their Sahitya Academy awards, in 2015, in protest. But recently, another letter to the PM, from well-known personalities like Ramchandra Guha, Aparna Sen, Shyam Benegal and others raising concerns over lynching particularly of Muslims and Dalits, landed them in trouble. A lawyer complained that they had tarnished the image of India and a Chief Judicial Magistrate agreeing with him, ordered the FIR to be filed with various charges including sedition. Isn’t this as an unfortunate slur on our Judiciary, particularly when now that the SSP of Muzaffarpur found the complaint to be malicious and closed the case? Even the former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee lamented that the “land which gave the world the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) is now in news for rising levels of intolerance, manifestations of rage and infringement of human rights.”
While the ruling Party may reject accusations of intolerance, the truth is that several people have been beaten up and even killed especially on cow related issues. We have not forgotten the rather recent arrest for around 15 days, of a journalist charged with defaming UP CM, Yogi Adityanath and released under SC orders as also the complaint registered against another journalist for shooting and circulating a video of salt and roti only being served as mid-day meal to school children. And our own CM’s warning, while he was the Speaker, to those saying Viva Portugal or Pakistan Zindabad. Recently Michael Lobo and earlier Nilesh Cabral warned those opposing “good projects”, which people actually consider as “milking cows” for the Govt or its Ministers or against environment. Aren’t these all instances of intolerance and arrogance, which come from power acquired immorally?
The concern for the BJP has to be also how the world looks at us, due to such incidents. About two years back we were the fourth worst country as far as the Social Hostilities Index is concerned. Amnesty International had also opined that India was becoming increasingly intolerant ever since Modi came to power. The PM has hardly, of late, been vocal about atrocities committed particularly against minorities. On the contrary, the Home Ministry rejected the claims of eminent citizens that this Govt is responsible for growing intolerance. Only constant warnings accompanied by sincere and stringent action against those taking the law into their hands can help and send strong signals against recurrence. Else, it cannot stop people and the world to think that the Government is covertly supporting intolerance.
(The author is a retired Banker)
