Manipur: Tolerance Is A Hoax

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 22 July 2023 The ongoing violence and incidents of arson in Manipur once again prove that we're still not ready for a decent dialogue and a humane decorum in our collective behaviour. A mature society allows debates, discourses, dissents and even diatribes to an acceptable extent, but absolutely no violence. That violence is taking place and people with different views and ideas are being assaulted and killed is something that puts a big question mark over human beings being evolved. Imphal: People at the site of a fire incident after violence broke out on Wednesday between tribal and non-tribal during 'Tribal Solidarity March' called by All Tribal Student Union Manipur (ATSUM). (PTI Photo) ------ First of all, human beings must be gracious enough to repudiate the fact that they're evolved. We're far from being evolved. We're actually devolved. We've been fighting over petty differences in all walks of life, be it religious, social, sectarian and even cinematic. But then, tolerance is actually a myth. It's a hoax. Intolerance is the basic nature of human beings. In other words, intolerance is in our DNA. It's our chromosomic character and an inveterate trait. If we look back and study the chronological advancement of human civilization, intolerance existed in all eras right from the first dawn of human life on earth. The semblance of tolerance has been just a temporary facade. Our hypocritical tolerance has been a veneer that can be peeled off anytime. We're all rabidly intolerant. It's because of intolerance towards others that so many religions, gods, cultures, countries, continents, castes, civilizations and sects came into existence all over the world. Why hasn't human civilization become seamless? The reason is simple: Right from our troglodyte ancestors, we couldn't tolerate others. The differential intolerance is ingrained in all of us. So long as we consider ourselves to be Indians, Pakistanis, Hindus, Brahmins, Rajputs, tribals, SC and all that jazz, we'll remain stuck in the cesspool of differences and stay intolerant of others. Rise above pettiness and embrace a universal vision. Intolerance will vanish slowly, if not in a jiffy. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/manipur-tolerance-hoax/d/130274 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism