The crisis of tolerance and the crisis of intolerance

India is probably going through the most tumultuous times since the mid 70s. On the socio-economic front - inequality is at an all time high though the burgeoning middle class is a positive sign. On the political front - leadership deficit is at an all time high. While there is a huge political vacuum in the country, no political front can claim moral responsibility over that space.

Let me demarcate the Indian society into three broad classes - The upper class, middle class and the lower class. Half of the upper class has a strong nexus with the government, the other half doesn't care. Middle class is very tolerant towards corruption and see it as a necessary evil, they go with the flow. Lower class fights tooth and nail to fill it's stomach daily, how can they find time. Moreover, in the absence of strong leadership - middle class and the lower class can do nothing.

Communal riots, casteism, honour killings etc show the extent up to which Indian society is intolerant. At the same time Indian society is strangely tolerant towards farmer suicides, child labour, exploitation of women(including dowry and other evils) and corruption at all fronts.

A fraction of the civil society - Anna Hazare, Arvind Kejriwal and co. (baba excluded) are trying hard to provide the much needed leadership but they can do nothing without the people of India. India is a democracy where government is the reflection of its people. The current political scenario is not due to the corrupt government but due to its people who are tolerant and intolerant towards the wrong things. It is the crisis of tolerance and the crisis of intolerance more than anything else.

As individuals, the least we can do is to instill in our hearts - "I will never give or take bribe" , "I will never give or take dowry" , "I will never employ child labour" . More can be added to this list.