We Are Intolerant People, And See It As A Quality. But What About Its Devastating Consequences?

The Lok  Sabha elections and then the Delhi elections saw an outbreak of discussions and arguments on the social media, the print media, Electronic Media and even in the discussions at the Chaiwallas and the office.

Supporters from rival parties came face to face many times. Disagreements are but natural, but the way they were shown was not agreeable. Obscenities were exchanged, people called the leaders names, called their friends names and things heated up like never before.

What is alarming to me is our intolerance towards a view contrary to ours.  We are a people of strong beliefs; but sadly we also have a belief that we are correct and the other one is wrong. We do not as much discuss as hurl our views at each other. Among my friends and colleagues, I have very rarely observed someone changing their stand on something after a discussion. It generally ends after someone else intervenes after being fed up of the endless duel.

What really highlighted this fact was the Kejriwal v/s Modi debate. Both the leaders have their qualities and their shortcomings. Both of them have their supporters. People thought up witty (and insulting) names for each leader and also their supporters, but none of them, even for once, acknowledge that the other leader has qualities too. I have been guilty of this too.

A feeling of superiority and intolerances can be observed to be co-dwellers. When I think that I am better than the other and my views are perfect and indisputable, I will never even consider anyone else’s views. I will find ways, whether correct or not, to keep the upper hand.

This intolerance manifests itself in many ways. It determines how we behave and how we live our lives.

• The self same intolerance is responsible for the communal clashes in the country. All politicians have to do is stoke their intolerance and discontent.
• This intolerance is behind the ever rising cases of road rage.
• My local newspaper, almost daily has news like “DUS RUPAY KE LIYE LI BHATIJE KI JAAN” (Someone killed his nephew for Rs. 10). This might sound comical but it is in fact an acute case of intolerance.
• There are cases of people beating up doctors and ransacking hospitals after the loss of a loved one.
• Setting fire to all cars and buses in the area after an accident is a common practice in small towns, hamlets and villages.

The list is really endless.

“AGREE TO DISAGREE”

This is the mantra that we need to imbibe in us and in the future generations. It is certain that there will be disagreements. They are a healthy sign for any society. This is the cornerstone of democracy for which our country fought for centuries.

What is equally important is to accept that there are contrary views possible and the other one also has valid points. This is where we lack.

We emphatically claim that we have a right to have an opinion but surprisingly we refuse to give others the same right.

We see people getting arrested for their posts on facebook. We see movies get banned for propagating views which we do not agree with. There are hundreds and hundreds of examples of intolerance in the country.

The major discrimination against women is because the inflated male ego cannot digest the rising star of women. Their psyche still has the vestiges of the past practices of generations. They massage their egos with sexist comments and the impropriety remarks on women dressing and working. But the core reason is their intolerance towards change which challenges their idea of male supremacy.

All this intolerance makes us angry. Anger towards the contrary view; and angry in general.

I am no one to preach, I am just sharing a realization which occurred in a moment of introspection. I wish to change!

Note: Image used in this post is only for representational purpose.

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