|
India
is the world’s biggest democracy where
multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-cultural,
people of different economic strata live
together in harmony as one people. In this
regard, India is a shining example for the rest
of the world. It is not that such a large ocean
of humanity exists together without any
differences of opinion. So how are these
differences resolved? Are these differences ever
voiced? Yes, of course they are voiced. We see
so many demonstrations, strikes, agitations etc.
These are people voicing differing opinions. The
difference is that some people adopt violent
ways and others adopt peaceful ways. So here we
come to the underlying difference in the way we
voice differences of opinion.
As long as it is a peaceful way the situation
remains manageable. People can resolve the
differences by concentrating on the
commonalities and finding ways to live with what
can not be resolved.
The situation takes an ugly turn when people
become angry and abusive. When anger comes in
thought process goes out. People are unable to
think clearly. It then becomes an ego fight
where no one is willing to loose.
We have seen it amply illustrated in our
dealings with Pakistan over Kashmir. Wars have
been fought. What was the outcome? No one gained
anything. Both countries lost a lot. If anger
were to be replaced by mature decisions, people
would concentrate more on commonalities, less on
differences and find ways to cooperate and move
forward. It is not that the differences would
cease to exist. They will continue to exist but
both parties would progress in spite of them.
Over time the differences would become
irrelevant.
Here on PD we have a similar situation. We have
differences of opinion. That is healthy and
educative. Consider this, would you come to this
section of PD if one person wrote an article and
the rest of us commented “I agree” like it is
often done on official note sheets. We try to
convince each other with our logic. At times
when the difference of opinion involves
interests of participating people, the
discussion tends to become heated. This is
normal. It is at this point that lot of self
restraint is required. If it is not present it
has to be imposed. If the authority imposing
discipline appears weak then chaos results. We
see scenes of the Parliament where missiles are
thrown even as the Speaker makes appeals for
members to calm down. As a last resort to bring
order the speaker has the offending members
thrown out of the house and there is peace.
Meaningful discussion can start again.
The editor of PD has a similar role. He has to
enforce discipline, whether it is by selectively
editing out offending material or by banning the
participation of certain people who habitually
use abusive language. Closing down the web site
is not a solution to this problem.
However, as we all see PD has returned with a
new look after the vacation. I congratulate the
PD team for making the site so beautiful and
organized.
|
Comments: |
I
think PD has done a great job
shutting down this section for 2
weeks, giving PD enough time to
chart out some basic regulations for
this section. I agree with Rajesh ji
that the Editor's job is "editing":
reprimand the author about their
misbehavior in the tone of their
writing and if he/she continues,
sanction by as much as a ban.
Editors can edit the objectionable
material.
Finally, I guess that all of us bear
responsibility in choice of topics
and comments. If we edit ourselves,
we ought to be able to be more
sensitive about others' feelings,
and if we can not avoid writing
about some controversial topic, at
least come at it with some respect
and restraint. - S. M. Khurshid
Anwar, New York, USA - Mar. 5, 2006
Writing is a serious intellectual
activity and it lives on for
generation after generation. But it
never means a war of words. If
someone wants to be true in writing,
the approach should be decent and
graceful and never blunt or violent.
The ethics of writing is crystal
clear for all. In this way one
should try to maintain the culture
of intellectual identity. And of
course, one's writing is the index
of one's thoughts which is always
sensible for the readers.
Rajesh Ji has coined the title
judiciously. PD has to play its role
and the prime role is to enlighten
the mass through its constructive,
lucid and polite-natured writing.
Thus, sensible writing is not
comparable with what happened in the
Bihar Assembly. Let us light a lamp
rather than making a fire in the
bush. "Readers Write" is extremely
healthy in all sense of
intellectualism. - Madani
Mohiuddin Ahmad, King Saud
University, Riyadh, KSA -
Mar. 6, 2006 |
|
Discussion on this topic is now
closed. |
Return to previous Page |
