Manipur: Tolerance Is A Hoax
By
Sumit Paul, New Age Islam
22 July
2023
The ongoing
violence and incidents of arson in Manipur once again prove that we're still
not ready for a decent dialogue and a humane decorum in our collective
behaviour. A mature society allows debates, discourses, dissents and even
diatribes to an acceptable extent, but absolutely no violence. That violence is
taking place and people with different views and ideas are being assaulted and
killed is something that puts a big question mark over human beings being
evolved.
Imphal: People at the site of a fire incident after violence broke out
on Wednesday between tribal and non-tribal during 'Tribal Solidarity March'
called by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM). (PTI Photo)
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First of
all, human beings must be gracious enough to repudiate the fact that they're
evolved. We're far from being evolved. We're actually devolved. We've been
fighting over petty differences in all walks of life, be it religious, social,
sectarian and even cinematic. But then, tolerance is actually a myth. It's a
hoax. Intolerance is the basic nature of human beings. In other words,
intolerance is in our DNA. It's our chromosomic character and an inveterate
trait. If we look back and study the chronological advancement of human
civilization, intolerance existed in all eras right from the first dawn of
human life on earth. The semblance of tolerance has been just a temporary
facade. Our hypocritical tolerance has been a veneer that can be peeled off
anytime. We're all rabidly intolerant.
It's
because of intolerance towards others that so many religions, gods, cultures,
countries, continents, castes, civilizations and sects came into existence all
over the world. Why hasn't human civilization become seamless? The reason is
simple: Right from our troglodyte ancestors, we couldn't tolerate others.
The
differential intolerance is ingrained in all of us. So long as we consider
ourselves to be Indians, Pakistanis, Hindus, Brahmins, Rajputs, tribals, SC and
all that jazz, we'll remain stuck in the cesspool of differences and stay
intolerant of others. Rise above pettiness and embrace a universal vision. Intolerance
will vanish slowly, if not in a jiffy.
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A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul
is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He
has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages
including Persian.
URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/manipur-tolerance-hoax/d/130274