Tolerance is considered a virtue

Tolerance is considered a virtue. But is there such a thing as tolerating too much? One needs to distinguish between tolerance of human beings and their traits and tolerance of concerted collective action.

Mannerisms of human beings must be tolerated, these are individual. Policies of the government, actions of individuals in the public domain must be questioned and searched for hidden motives. The history of mankind, is an enormous list of follies. It shows us that with the best of intentions people and Governments can make big mistakes. The tragedy is that these mistakes of policy happen despite alarm calls from people who speak, protest and dissent.

India has been a very tolerant land. Our history shows we can that we have accepted the unfair taxes and draconian laws of rulers somewhat easily. This does not mean that people did not find ways of protesting.

There have been many examples of nonviolent protests.

The Chipko movement took its inspiration from a much earlier protest by ordinary people against the might of a king - hugging trees to prevent them from being cut down, even if it meant losing one's life. Fasting, refusing to eat, as a way of drawing attention to disagreement is ancient, but also extremely common. Very small children express their protest in this manner. Children protest using three main devices - they sulk, fast and refuse to move,

Concerted protest, based on principles is rare. The salt March, the act of walking many miles to pick up a handful of salt, was a powerful symbolic act. It shook the foundations of the British Empire. It showed how nonviolent action could stand up and be counted.

For the youth of this land, there is a crisis brewing. Information knocks at every door and we all know about the shortcomings of our nation. The government makes policies that harm the environment, that harm people, that favor large corporations, that takes this nation down a path of no return. Nuclear energy, excessive deforestation, parceling land off to private corporations are examples of such action. What can a young person to do when witnessing all this?

Bearing witness is a sacred act, which implies looking with clear eyes and not glassine over the details - of environmental degradation, of laws beige broken, of injustice, of corruption and vested inerests. Baba Amte once made a profound statement when speaking to young students. "Look at the world through tear washed eyes and not tear dimmed eyes".

For a young person, one who has still not been co-opted into the circle of corruption and vested interests, there is a vital opportunity. India has a large number of young people. With the information available today each one must know that the decision-makers of today are making decisions that will have significant impact on your future. Many of the definitions are irreversible in their impact. The mountains being strip mined cannot be reconstructed. Nuclear waste buried underground cannot be suddenly neutralized. Land which has been parceled off and chemically poisoned cannot be reclaimed easily. Genetically modified crops once unleashed will bring to an end an ancient cycle of natural farming. Your future and that of your children is on the block. Fortunately you have information which no other generation before you have had.

Each of us is a small human being, but like many have shown it is the ordinary human being who can make the big difference. Participating in Government is a responsibility that we all share. When we see something happening around us that is unfair and unjust we can speak up, stand and be counted.

We can also disobey an unfair law.. openly. if the salt law was seen as unfair Gandhi was determined to break the law. This is very different form jumping a light for going dasher, or avoiding taxes - these are for personal benefit. Disobedience of a law that is unfair is a way of participation in a democratic process, challenging the Government by drawing empathy and reconsideration from the very people who are in the Government.

30 Nov 2009