By Ayush Jain
I think it’s not only pragmatic but also necessary to tip and toe the
lines of what we believe to be right and wrong for a higher purpose.
We operate in a world with people with differential views, opinions
and beliefs. We have no option but to exist, live and learn from these
differences. In the process we learn to live beyond the rigidities of
our own conceptions of rights and wrong.
It’s a fundamental question, whether it is wrong, not to criticise
someone for an ill given that they for you are supposed to fill a
higher purpose. The question manifests itself in varying degrees in
multiple activities we do.
As a newly initiated student of international relations I ask if it
wrong to not criticise a government in some country for their
violations of human rights, while your very own existence depends
on their co-operation. I think, for now at least, that it isn’t.
This comes from a very practical understanding of the limits of the
power of an individual nation and draw a parallel, of every
individual human. Although we are imbibed with limitless
possibilities as individuals, social groups and nations, we are
constrained by very practical roadblocks of the times and situations
we live in.
While I might intend to achieve better treatment of people in some
other country, my critique of leadership of that nation, might lead to
worse for them and as well for me. Would it be right on my part to
criticise another country when I know that this is ought to be the
most probable outcome of my critique? This is probably a part of the
eternal end and means debate.
The debate playing out in practically accross histories and
geographies. Was Dr. BR Ambedkar anti-national in putting the
interests of his community before the country? I don’t think so. I
think its a very personal choice that to which idea I prescribe a
higher importance. A choice that every person makes for themselves
and keeps remaking it according to his changing self.
While I may not ever be able to make a right choice, I can in this
moment make the choice that seems most sensible to me. This
seems to be the only way. Is a common choice possible for the 8
billion people that inhibit this planet? Maybe.
But it hasn’t happened since the dawn of humanity on this planet
and doesn’t seem likely that it will happen anytime soon. This is not
about absolving oneself of responsibility, but rather about
understanding the limits of one ‘s action and of existing in a society
and achieving what one aims to intend with minimal possible
friction.
This is something everyone practices in their own personal way,
either consciously or being unaware of the same. If everyone starts
speaking out their mind mindlessly, all we will have is unending
choas.
Diplomacy isn’t something that diplomats do, its something we all
do in varying proportions and we all must do to ensure that the tide
of society moves along. To me, of what you want is well being for
everyone and what you pursure is for that purpose, whatever I do,
makes sense, atleast for now.
By Ayush Jain
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