TOLERANCE AT STAKE

What is Tolerance? According to Wikipedia, toleration means allowing, permitting, or acceptance of an action, idea, object to which one dislikes or disagrees. Infine tolerance represents that quality of mind which warrants one to endure the presence of company of others. Its essence prevails in the spirit of co-existence. Tolerance is of supreme value in every walk of life as well as in social or even in national life.

   

India being the birth place of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism has practised religious toleration from yore. Islamic faith was preached and practised much later in India. India today has a population of about 175 million Muslims more than the entire population of Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia combined. Through centuries history speaks volume of India as a cradle of religious tolerance and non- violence. Tolerance is the essential concept in India that binds people to live together in peace and harmony irrespective of any religious faiths.

But today socio-political scenario is in disarray. Lynching of a person merely on the suspicion of eating beef or maltreatment of Dalits or violence in Delhi , Jadavpur  University – campus as well as murdering activists , writers and reporters,  bring out the hard reality . Is India becoming intolerant ?  The present situation of India gives us such indication. Fanaticism in religion , politics, race and culture breed intolerance . The Indian Constitution guarantees  fundamental rights to all citizens including minority communities in respect of  Religious Freedom.

Intolerance in India has torn apart the basic unity in diversity by creating an air of intolerance , bigotry  and hatred. But from time immemorial,  any body whether theist  or atheist sceptic or agnostic  could settle in India. Although India is often considered a staunchy Hindu State  but the traditional Hindu attitude towards other religious faiths was one of tolerance. Legacy of religious tolerance was taught and spread by Emperors like Ashoka and Akbar .

Today the most important part is Religious literacy that will enable every one to understand religion in the true sense.  Intolerance is a negative approach where one person or a group does not accept others’ point of belief . Going by a report of Pew Research Centre , India ranks as the worst country when it come to religious freedom based on GRI (govt. restriction index) and SHI ( social hostilities index ) .Ironically average Indian is more tolerant to other religious belief .

In conclusion , tolerance is the pre condition of peace and maintaining harmony amongst people of different faiths . The Mandir Masjid controversy that marred the socio-religious harmony between people of two different religious faiths that continued for decades on end has finally been resolved by the Honour’ble Supreme Court. Let all of us take oath to defeat the spectre of fanaticism  and live a peaceful life without strife for India is a land of TOLERANCE.