Communal Harmony is Everyone's Responsibility
Violence in any form is unacceptable in a civilized society.
Even in waging wars we have rules of engagement and international
conventions to follow. However, when you have a billion people
in a pluralistic society, you can expect a few people to disregard
the norms or show extreme behavior or intolerance. Such people
are an exception rather than a rule, as in case of criminals.
No matter how effective a government may be, no matter how good
the law and order, there will always be crime and some criminals.
You cannot generalize society based upon such aberrations and
exceptions.
Religious tolerance in any society is a mark of its maturity
and progress. In case of individuals it denotes their education,
civility, knowledge and understanding. It is an ideal, which
like many ideals people may never achieve complete perfection
in its practice. However, we have to see how it is practiced
by the majority. In society everyone has a responsibility to
keep peace and show tolerance. The responsibility does not rest
with the majority community alone.
No one should be condoned for uncivilized and violent behavior
in the name of religion. Life is precious and the purpose of
any religion is to ennoble it not to undermine it. Politicians
have a responsibility not to capitalize on such events. Religious
leaders have a responsibility to show restraint and understanding.
Media has a responsibility to report such events with caution
and objectivity, without bias and vested interest. They have
a duty to abide by truth and report facts without taking sides
or presenting a distorted version of the events. There are always
two sides to communal harmony. Peace happens when everyone ones
to live in peace. When every social, cultural, political, and
religious group acts responsibly, only then there can be peace
and communal harmony.
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