On respecting different viewpoints
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: December 13 2011 -
The essence of democracy is the space it provides for dissent, for differing viewpoints on a particular issue to co exit. This is one of the most advertised and projected notion of democracy whenever there is a comparison with other political systems which are deemed to have either no room or very little scope for dissent.
A true democracy would mean not just respecting and allowing space for dissent but should also mean making a sincere effort to incorporate the dissenting views to arrive at a consensus.
We agree that this understanding of democracy is idealistic and our practical experience as a citizen of the largest democracy in the world do not always support this notion of democracy.
But the the idea is not to give in to such experiences rather keep striving unceasingly towards the ideal. Having said that we know how difficult the task is, the sheer odds stacked against such an endeavour would appear forbidding.
For, all around us we see utter disregard and intolerance of dissenting voices. There have been numerous occasions when attempts were made to silence any opposition, voices of dissent by adopting various means - some highly sophisticated and subtle, some crude and brutal.
Some voices of dissent are completely ignored - the powers that be pretending as if they simply do not exist; Irom Sharmila's eleven year long hunger strike is one stark instance of such an attitude.
Some are bribed, others coerced to toe the line, yet others co opted and some voices of dissent silenced permanently. It is not just the state which exposes this strong streak of intolerance every now and then.
This again, is a common experience for all of us living in this state, with numerous bodies and organizations starting right from the local clubs, student bodies, various civil society organizations and many other non state actors deciding what is right, what is wrong, what is acceptable and what not.
Holding a different view from what is regarded as the 'correct' view runs the risking of being denounced as betraying the 'cause', the 'ideal'.
Now we have come to a state where whoever holds a commanding position, be it in social, economic or political sphere, will use every means at its command to crowd out other aspiring voices and entities. This is most visible in the political arena.
All the political parties in the country swear by democratic ideals but when it comes to defending their turf or area of influence, democratic principles are the first casualty.
And come election time, this not so flattering facet of political parties and personalities come to the fore. Money, muscle power and lumpen elements have a field day in the run up to the battle of ballot boxes.
The incident at Thoubal the other day, when a group of people disrupted a BJP meeting addressed by Dr Najma Heptullah is one such instance of intolerance.
One may not agree with what the BJP stands for, or what Dr Najma Heptullah has to say but disrupting the meeting and not allowing others who are willing to listen to her, runs contrary to all democratic norms.
Ideology should be fought with alternative ideology and not by force or coercion, this is what democracy is about.
As the political parties and intending candidates gear up for the upcoming election to the 10th Manipur Legislative Assembly, care should be taken by all of them to see to it that such incidents do not take place agains.
Let's see some tolerance, all of you are the most visible of face of democracy, for, if elected you will be called the people's representatives, earn this honour the hard way and not by resorting to short cuts.
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