The current state of our society with excessive violence and inhumanity is very alarming. Tolerance and forbearance among people is almost eradicated. We are getting impatient and rude. Day by day people are clinging to inhumanity, which is dividing and destabilizing our society.
The recent scene surrounding the quota movement is one of ruthlessness. We did not see any human behavior in the video images of the killing and destruction. An unarmed Abu Sayed was shot in the chest by police; How can he be considered human? And the policeman who was brutally killed while providing security to the people, his body was hanged on the bridge. Such behavior cannot be called humane.
A review of the nature of the movement shows that efforts are being made to eliminate the adversary at all costs. Eradication means complete destruction, leaving no trace. Those who stayed away from the carnage and were not involved in terrorist activities, also behaved like terrorists. Every means available to attack each other through social media has been used. Every day new factories of rumor are being discovered and the 'products' produced by these factories are jumping on each other. Such behavior is making the society more unstable.
The worst part is trying to influence people by fear. Both sides list people who are against their views, as identified during the intellectual killings of 1971. This trend is taking our society to a worse state. This intolerance of dissent was already there, but now it is epidemic. Tolerance and patience are completely disappearing. Like my opposite ie my enemy, he must be eliminated at any cost.
There is no hesitation in admitting that developing the habit of tolerating and respecting dissent is a major challenge for society. Differences between sides and opposites add to the beauty of society. No country, society, or nation can move forward without disagreement. In our country everyone is pressured to be a 'Sahamat Bhai', anyone who disagrees is called an 'Atheist' or a 'Razakar'. This culture is holding our society back, no doubt.
Our country has no hope to move forward? Will we ever be able to develop a mindset of respecting opinions and differences? Are we going to be stupid, rude, stubborn and arrogant all our lives?
To find answers to these questions, we must first develop human values in ourselves. We need to learn how to respect each other's opinions. Tolerance and patience should be the foundation of our society.
Along with tolerance and patience, the practice of compassion and cooperation in society is also very important. Compassion motivates people to understand the suffering of others and help them. When there is compassion in society, people are more compassionate towards each other. In order to develop this kind of mentality, we have to practice these qualities everywhere, starting from our families and educational institutions.
It is natural that there will be differences of opinion in the society, but there should be a mindset to respect those differences. To develop this mindset, we need to bring changes in our education system. Emphasis should be placed on inculcating human values, tolerance, and tolerance in students.
Society should practice humanity, tolerance, and tolerance instead of violence and inhumanity. Only then will our country and society move towards a better future. There is enough reason for optimism in our country too, but it requires sincere efforts and practice of human values by all of us.
Author: United Kingdom expatriate, editor of a small paper 'Shabadpath'