Truth Is Not Valued In These Difficult Times

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 12 March 2025 " While I do not like to offend anyone's feelings, some things need to be said, even if they are likely to hurt someone's religious sensibilities. If religious preachers can speak their minds, the same privilege should be granted to rationalists." By Ghulam Mohiyuddin Lab See Lo Ke Naagvaar Guzarti Hai Tumhari Baat Sach Ki Nahin Qadra Iss Daur-E-Dushvaar Mein -Asma Jahangir, quoting Fahmida Riaz (Stitch your lips as your words unsettle people/ Truth is not valued in these difficult times) I fully agree with Dr Ghulam Mohiyuddin and Fahmida Riaz, the late stormy petrel. The strength of a society lies in its ability to tolerate diverse opinions. A society's true power lies not in its ability to enforce conformity and suppress dissidence, but rather in its openness and acceptance of diverse perspectives and ideas. When a society embraces a culture of tolerance, it fosters an environment where individuals from different walks of life can freely express their thoughts, beliefs, and ideologies without fear of persecution or prejudice. This free exchange of varied opinions, despite their differences, encourages critical thinking, intellectual growth, and empathy, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and progressive society. Therefore, a society's true strength is found in its ability to embrace and celebrate diversity in thought, allowing it to evolve, adapt, and thrive. But this is not happening at the moment. Different and diverse views are being pilloried, nay persecuted. If your views don't align with the majority, you're a pariah. This is a dangerous situation. Your freedom to choose your way is being blocked whereas the freedom to choose our own path is a fundamental right. This is the essence of individual autonomy and self-determination. It reflects the belief that each person has the inherent right to make decisions about their own life, values, beliefs, and goals. This empowerment to chart one's own course is not only a cornerstone of personal fulfilment but also essential for social progress. By recognizing and respecting the freedom to choose, society fosters diversity, innovation, and inclusivity. It acknowledges that while paths may differ, each person's unique journey contributes to the rich tapestry of human experience. Embracing this principle of freedom to choose not only upholds human rights but also cultivates a society that values individuality and celebrates the diversity of perspectives. But the question is: Do we see this happen in our country and society? In fact, countries and societies are far bigger spheres. Does this happen in this forum which has a relatively small ambit ? One 'sapient' and 'omniscient' gentleman's lifetime mission is to thwart the thinking of all those who think differently. There's no prize for guessing as to who's that gentleman I'm alluding to. ----- 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://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/truth-valued-difficult-times/d/134847 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