We are a very amazing nation. Whenever we look at our flaws and their subsequent crisis we start to take examples of other countries in the context of that particular crisis without mentioning the full story of the success of that countries in that particular context. The reason behind this intellectual dishonesty is our socio-religious biases. Our biases do not allow us to give value to any other idea or person that is against our certain mindset.
For instance, our intelligentsia, whether it is religious or non-religious, often takes the example of India regarding its successful democratic set-up but never tells us about the secular constitution of India. This is a secular framework that provides India with such a zenith of democracy even in the presence of extremist parties like the BJP.
Meanwhile, the progress of China is quoted in a very emphatic manner but the truth is again hidden that China has a Marxist revolution in its past and its economy has a state-oriented structure where businessmen can’t jeopardize economic activities as in the third-world countries.
Therefore, the vicious circle of the neoliberal regime of the world remains unable to harness any benefit in China and China’s religions are also apolitical.
Similarly, examples of the success of the whole developed world are presented without mentioning the reasons and formative principles that are working behind these success stories.
The values of pluralism, collectivism, liberalism, secularism, and democracy have become part and parcel of the culture in these countries. But we have no embarrassment while quoting their examples and rejecting their system of values and beliefs which make them developed lands.
Half-truths are always more dangerous than blatant lies. We are living in the self-created world of half-truths. It is very alarming not only for us but also for our upcoming generations.
There is a dire need to be rational, for us. We will have to tell the truth to the next generation. It seems very horrible or maybe disrespectful to some sects of society. All developed nations gave sacrifices in this context. There was a time when the Church was the sole sovereign of the western world but people broke this brutal sovereign and took out their right to rule themselves.
Likewise in China under the leadership of Mao China redistributed the resources among people and killed the notion that inequalities are natural.
At present environment is very volatile and resistant to change and discussions. The only thing that could be possible I can suggest to my progressive friends is that they should try to rehabilitate the relation of the masses with books. They should promote the habit of reading and educate the masses about its importance. After that let them free to think. We should not try to inculcate our opinion because it may make people offensive. We just ask them to read and read for the best because at present only some people know hard social sciences and people’s opinions depend upon this small cult of social scientists therefore people conceive knowledge with a biased approach. We will have to change the role of the middleman. Their role is just to be a facilitator, not an opinion injector.
- Our Dualities - 27/06/2022
