The way forward towards civility
- Imphal Times Editorial :: January 28 2020 -

Change- an attribute easier to wish than to implement.

Desired change- an almost impossible challenge, especially when it relates to humans who are creatures of habit.

Everybody has their own unique perspective of the world which is perhaps the most interesting aspect of human beings.

But sometimes, along with these different perspectives rises different conflicts of interest.

An ideal society resolves these conflicts for the greater interest and benefit of its members.

Our present society, like most others prevailing today, unfortunately is far from perfect, yet we negotiate, bribe or just barge our way through in our daily struggle to survive.

Every so often, individuals with altered mindsets or depraved morals continue to commit acts considered as aberrations, heinous or even bestial in nature.

Understandably, the society spontaneously voiced its resentments and anger - demanding, and rightly so, a swift and exemplary justice for the crimes.

Whatever be the reason or compulsion that led to these drastic incidents, there obviously is not one single reasoning human who does not condemn these acts.

Yet condemning an act for which the perpetrator/s are yet to be identified or apprehended as the case may be, by burning down houses, destroying their properties or directing our ire against another fellow citizen has become the order of the day.

While we should be steadfast and unrelenting in our demand for justice, excessive violence and prolonged acts of destruction of public property which are there for our own benefit and convenience should be curbed.

This form of agitation which has been used for a long time, with a quite high level of success, needs to be changed.

It is time to bring in a change in our mindset and try out other more subtler yet effective means of protesting against injustice and crime.

One of the many ways which, perhaps we should try out is giving a reasonable amount of time for the Government and its concerned authorities to bring out the truth and identify the criminals, and to act accordingly as per the law in such a manner that would deter such acts in future.

Failure of these concerned parties to bring results within such time may be countered with social boycott form all sections of the society in unison.

Such a move would also enable the police and other concerned agencies to investigate the case in an orderly manner instead of mayhem and disruptions that will hamper the ultimate objective for which everyone is shouting for- to uncover the truth and act on it as per the law.

A cohesive unit- that of the Government, the concerned investigating authority, the security and police, the judiciary and most importantly, the general public, working hand-in-hand would prove more productive and fruitful in bringing out the truth, rather than putting the blame squarely on the Government.

Mutual trust, understanding and cooperation, and most important of all, restraint is called for in such circumstances.

If each section of the society carries out its part earnestly, there will not be a stronger force.

A change in our mindset- a change in our approach and game is all that is called for to set the wheels of change in motion- a change towards a better society and a better life.