Day 38 – Q 4.Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others. Discuss.

4. Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. Rather it condemns the oppression or persecution of others. Discuss. 

सहिष्णुता का तात्पर्य है कि किसी की अपनी मान्यताओं में प्रतिबद्धता की कोई कमी नहीं है। बल्कि यह दूसरों के उत्पीड़न या उत्पीड़न की निंदा करता है। चर्चा करें।

Introduction:

“I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”-Voltaire

Tolerance is respect, acceptance and appreciation for those whose opinions, practices, race religion, nationality etc. are different from one’s own.

Body: 

Tolerance implies no lack of commitment to one’s own beliefs. 

• Tolerance doesn’t mean submission but to put your viewpoint and opinion in a respectful manner. Ex. As Gandhi Ji did in freedom struggle to fight injustice.
• Tolerance is harmony in difference. Tolerance advocates for peaceful co-existence of diversity.
• It helps in developing qualities like respect towards faith and belief of different sections and communities without compromising your own beliefs.
• Tolerance allows individuality and diversity. It is more about mutual respect and the common good, and not about who is right and who is wrong.
• It recognizes the fundamental rights of others and Universal Human rights
• Tolerance creates a society in which people can feel valued and respected, and in which there is room for every person, each with their own ideas, thoughts and dreams.
• Historically tolerance has been the central virtue of some of the greatest empires. Be it Asoka’s Dhamma or Akbar’s Sul-i-kul, tolerance was a key principle.

Tolerance condemns the oppression or persecution of others belief:

• Tolerance prevent the tendency of intimidation, coercion, oppression etc
• It gives freedom from Bigotry, Phobias like Xenophobia, Homophobia and Theo-phobia etc.
• Tolerance is embracing migrants due to civil war or globalization and it will condemn racism and Xenophobia. Ex. Rohingyas in India, Syrians in Europe, Mexicans in the US.
• Tolerance will be accommodative of people in society irrespective of their sexual orientation. Ex. Acceptance of LGBTQ in society.
• Tolerance gives respect for others and hence gives the courage to fight for other rights like the fight against racial discrimination, LGBT community, minority etc.
• Tolerance rejects absolutism and rigidity. For instance, recent Lynching activities in the country show the absolutism by dominants.
• Tolerance will condemn unacceptable practices like child marriage, female infanticide and issues like Triple Talaq which breaches women rights.

Conclusion:

Being tolerant of each other and caring for each other is what makes us human. This is why we have believed tolerance is important and an essential aspect of a healthy, livable society. In fact, it is the only way in which a country as diverse as India (Politically, religiously, economically) can function and use each and every difference to make its people thrive rather than suffer.