MAINSTREAMING TOLERANCE
-Fr.
Cedric Prakash sj*
Never before in the history of
post-independent India has “intolerance”
become such a subject of heated debate, much divisiveness and which seems to bleed
the heart of ‘the idea of India’.
Intolerance, one might argue has always
existed! We see small and big acts taking place all over society and even in
the security of one’s own family. As Indians,
we do pride ourselves of being a ‘tolerant people’ and we certainly get very
upset when growing acts of intolerance hog the limelight. In a defense reaction, we put on a mask saying
“we are not like that”. This was so
evident, when a few days ago, a motley group met the President and the Prime
Minister ‘to protest’ against those who were saying that India is becoming an
intolerant nation! The irony is that this very group was abusive of some of the
media present at their protest and they also made very intolerant remarks
against those taking a stand against intolerance!
In recent months, there have been a spate
of intolerant acts all over the country: from the killing of rationalists like
Pansare and Kalburgi to the burning of dalit children; from ‘banning’ programmes
by Pakistanis in India to the killing of someone who apparently eaten beef. In the
wake of these acts, some of the most eminent people of the country including
several intellectuals like writers, scientists, historians and even celebrity
film stars, have strongly voiced their protests; some of them have had the
courage to return their duly merited awards from the
Government. The point they have been making is that the Government of the day
does not show any political will to address these acts of hate, divisiveness
and violence but on the contrary, it even seems to patronise, shield and
provide legitimacy to the perpetrators of these heinous acts.
This intolerance was symbolised in the
fact that several functions were held on November 15th in different
parts of the country to honour Nathuram Godse, the man who killed Mahatma
Gandhi; for his dastardly deed, Godse was hanged on November 15, 1949 and the
fact that right-wing factions have the audacity to treat him like a hero speaks
volumes for itself.
It is therefore appropriate that the
United Nations every year invites all member States to observe November 16th as ‘the International Day for Tolerance’. The meaning of “tolerance” provided by UNESCO
“is respect, acceptance and appreciation
of the rich diversity of our world’s cultures, our forms of expression and ways
of being human”. “Tolerance is not concession, condescension
or indulgence. Tolerance is above all an active attitude prompted by the
recognition of the Universal Human Rights and fundamental freedoms of others.”
“Tolerance is the responsibility that
upholds human rights, pluralism and the rule of the law......it does not mean
toleration of social injustices or the abandonment or weakening of one’s
convictions”. A meaningful definition indeed!
The terrible attacks in Paris on
November 13th certainly need to be condemned by one and all! At the same time, one should never forget the
many millions who are killed and brutalised throughout the world all the time but
do not get the media attention and the world leaders speaking up for them. In
April, more than 148 people (of these 142 were students) were killed by an Islamic
extremist group in Kenya; those executed were mainly Christians. There is a muted
response to the killings of innocent people be it in Syria and Lebanon, Egypt and
Afghanistan, Palestine and in several parts of Africa. The refugee crisis is
certainly an outcome of great intolerance.
Exactly twenty-six years ago, on 16th
November 1989 six Jesuit Priests together with their housekeeper and her
fifteen year daughter, were brutally murdered in El Salvador by the military
junta of that country. The powerful, vested interests were not able to tolerate
the way the Jesuits took a stand on behalf of the poor and against the growing
injustices and fascist acts of those in power.
We remember these martyrs today.
We have much to internalise and to mainstream
where tolerance is concerned. Let’s hope and pray that on a day like this, each
one of us has the courage and the humility to act: to be more tolerant and to make
our world a more humane, just and peaceful place for all!
November 16th
2015
*(Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is the Director of PRASHANT, the Ahmedabad-based Jesuit Centre for Human Rights,
Justice and Peace.)
Address: ‘PRASHANT’,
Hill Nagar, Near Saffron Hotel, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad - 380052
Phone:
(079) 27455913, 66522333 Fax: (079) 27489018 Email: sjprashant@gmail.com www.humanrightsindia.in
