Be Bold Stay Real

It’s a strange democratic setup that we live in. for the record books, we are the largest democracy of the world. Our constitution promises us several rights. One of the most prominent one is the Freedom of Speech. This freedom implies, that an Indian citizen has the right to air his/her views without any compromise. We have prominent dailies, some 70000+ number of newspapers in almost all regional and national languages, 24×7 news channels airing different views and numerous live examples that will make you believe of our Right to freedom of speech .

Not that it isn’t true; we do have a fairly better understanding and implementation of this system in place, of course. And we do have a variety of views on the political or cultural sphere, where everyone is allowed and they enjoy the freedom of free speech. At least comparatively, we do have a better system than others.

But, (yes, there’s always a But when it comes to the magnitude of a country like India), the natural instinct of the people over here is almost otherwise. Maybe it is ingrained in us through generations of hard work and “ teaching”, where in a family we are asked not to Answer our elders back with argument as it amounts to disrespect, we are told not to disrespect or disagree with our teachers as they know more than us, we are even told never to say NO when a boss asks to do something as that might hamper your chances of a promotion and likewise many instances where our superiors, colleagues, elders, stop us to do things the unconventional way.

The Road taken is always preferred rather than exploring the Road that was not taken.

To this point, where one needs to keep their worldly possessions, relations, would-be prospects, etc is to some extent justified. Justified to suit their excuses, which they give.

The problem starts when one translates these habits, acquired to justify their requirements, into the domain of national, cultural, religious issues. For some, it is completely fine to stay aloof of all the happenings and even with knowledge of it all, staying mum on those issues. This staying mum policy is specifically increasing on conflicting issues. Issues, where hardly there are prevalent voices supporting that cause or there is fear of being stereotyped or branded a rebel. Some do take a stand, but that depends on when he finds the support of likeminded people who are pitching out with their opinions.

On occasions, where even after knowing that there are things which are wrong, things about which one should speak about, things that should not be kept inside the closet of one’s heart but should traverse to your mouth and things that the world needs to listen about rather than an audience of your living room.

Numerous times, I’ve faced situations similar to these and am sure that I’ll continue to face them. For instance, raising my voice on the language–conflict in our college and how that is hampering the communication process raised lots of questions, but the ones’ suffering from the same never did that before me. Some, of course came out in support and some supported without making themselves public.

To my numerous blogs on Narendra Modi, where I never shy away from professing my hate towards him, to my outrage when people don’t stop hating CSK for its’ success, I’ve been vocal about it all.

Why should one toe the majoritarian view always? Some of the folks just take it for granted that only their view holds the supreme truth and anything other than that is plain bullshit.

I’d bullshit that actually.

When, it comes to being bold about your views, one should not look for avenues for support, instead of airing whatever that is in your mind to be heard by the people concerned, why should you just keep your thoughts simmering in the nest of your thoughts?

One other example which put lights into what I said above is, the mention of the Online Like Debate community. These communities of people have their views intact, but won’t comment on your views with that. Rather, would support the only one’s opposing it by liking their replies, but won’t say for the fear of spoiling relations, outlook, etc.

For me, people coming out in the open, airing their views, no matter how conflicting it is to what I hold, holds high regard. Reason being they don’t fear what they have in their mind and are okay with telling it, as well.

It’s time to be Bold and Stay Real, rather than sit back and Wait for the “right” time to say something.

 

This post was Written for Be Bold Stay Real contest at BlogAdda

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12 Comments

  1. SRS

    Interesting post – I wish that the day soon comes when we can all talk without fear…..

  2. Uma

    Liked! the move is worth the risk other than thinking “why did I not do it”

    • Thanks a lot!!Of course it is, ruing back on things that we didn’t end up doing is worse than facing the consequence of what you actually stand for!!

  3. what is staying real ? Where do we have this freedom ? Do we have the patience to accept each other the way we are ? in one roof ? we try to put our point infront of our parents and many of us end up picking a fight to prove points..forget society and other communities ..
    We need a comfort zone where we hate criticism!! Its with you,me,Modi,Mamata,Yasim Malik,Azam Khan…SRK.. we all are alike !!
    We love to co-exist only around people we can relate with!! There is no acceptance and tolerance. We follow our respective religions as duty and responsibility and as fear but how many of us have understood the basic that no matter what I refer .. The SuperPower is the same!
    Its a perception.. Mohammad.. voices can make sense only when they are real and real is virtual… even Togadia dares to speak and so does Owaisi… Raj Thackeray is nothing less..are they real ??
    In the name of minority and caste .. ( I wont say for the sake of because neither are the minorities getting anything nor or schedule caste and tribe )the main stream has been continuously sub merged … why ?
    Majority is nothing but a concept.. what is majority to you is minority to me … and vice versa!!
    Because we feel comfortable amid like minded people and that means we hate being contradicted.Its a vicious cycle my brother, wish there was a mass awakening .. one or two rise every day in this country and its because of rational thoughts of people like you the country is sustaining !!
    However,before you put a point public ( you,me,whosoever) so boldly we should do the analysis or else be open for a healthy debate to avoid being yet another booming Azam Khan,Raja Bhaiya,Raj Thackeray,Togadia and Owaisi.. Sab ek hain bhai !!
    I may end up writing a comment bigger than the post my brother 🙂 I feel,

    • There are things that are not given to you in a bowl served at your table, sometimes you have to go hunting!! (figuratively).
      Till the time we are thinking that others’ will not empathise with our views, we restrict ourselves. And when we think they will understand, we speak. But in none of these situations, we are guaranteed that anything is gonna be achieved. Be it ruing on that fact that we didn’t said anything or getting frustrated at people and ourselves of this intolerance.
      Also, this freedom does come with a responsibility that we should take care of. Yes, it might sound that I am contradicting my suport for free speech. But then one cannot justify an Owaisi or a Togadia or a Varun. And you raised a valid point there taht speaking without the knowledge of the facts that one is speaking, just doesn’t make any sense. Like these so called “religious sympathisers” say about other religions, without knowing about it.
      And i am open for a Public debate on anything that I WRITE.
      Also, on the point that we like to or be comfortable in groups that hold the same ideology that we have, I slightly disagree. I have been great friends with people with whom i hold a completely different view. Empathizing and being Rational is something that starts wiith us and we should let it spread by allowing others with varied opinions to.

      PS: Phew!! Typing it on a comment is seriously too hectic 😛

      • hehe!! I made you write a comment as big as mine !! 🙂
        My point was on a general basis brother !Mingling around with like minded people is what we normally prefer.You and me can be exceptions and probably thats why we interacted 🙂
        its not easy for everyone to speak against many … some do ..the only thing is some make it a Unique Selling Point … for vested interests .. our aggressive netas are one such lot .. who dare a huge crowd standing amid 500 or 1000
        We have a mouth to speak … we have two ears to listen … 🙂 my father says!! I mean,its only who has heard properly and lot will be able to talk about something…
        Most of the people dont speak as they dont have the knowledge ..
        Regarding the Public Debate and all that .. again I guess I sounded personal .. I am sorry brother,it was statement in General.
        I see these furious leaders .. all over the world … they utter fire through their talks .. hate is their mothertongue …and they dont let a debate happen..it was in that reference
        I hope,I could put my point across without being misunderstood 🙂

        • It’s okay. Even i am learning to write in long comments 😛

          Yes, definitely the hate-mongers have vested interests and they have used this for spreading their own agendas for a long time. To some extent, even your comments made me thinking on how to channel our hate or negativity. Thanks 🙂
          But what I emphasized from my post was not just about the hate-aspect of it, but even general important issues that are needed to be discussed get ignored just coz we don’t want to enter into some of the bad books’. This should change, and just not get limited to a few individuals or groups.

          🙂

  4. You have done good research, Except Gujrat riots nothing is substantial here.
    There is no one who will not regret Gujrat riots, where many innocent Muslims and Hindus were killed.
    Why every one blames Modi for this? he become CM in 2011 october and riots happened in Feb 2012. After this there are no riots in Gujrat in last 11 years.
    Muslims have been pampered and exploited by every political party for petty votes, it si also true that Muslims are most underdeveloped community in India. How ever I believe that Muslims can only progress in india if India progress. Do you think is there any other alternative in india who can lead India to prosperous and if you can name me any one I will be first to ditch Modi!

    Having said this this is also true that It is only india where all muslims have full liberty to follow their religion, no where else you can find this. In pakistan see the condition of shia and sunni and Ahmadis. In Iran and Iraq see sunni and shias. But this liberty is not not a indicator of growth and progress of muslims in india.

    • As said by you, from October to February, it comes to 5 Months. I think, to not to anything when a riot of that magnitude is taking in your state raises a very big question. I think, i’ll expect the CM of my state to act to STOP something from happening even from day 1. If, you assume that he was new to all this, then was he incompetent when he joined the office ??

      Muslims have been pampered and vote bank politics is the result of it. But how does that justify what he did, or what he didn’t ??

      Shall muslims choose murderers of their own brothers and sisters, just because there is NO alternative ?? How can anyone trust him ?? Atleast, being a Muslim, I cannot!!

      I agree that even being a minority, we do have our rights and proud of this. But comparing it with anyone, leave aside Pakistan would be wrong. Where there is Pakistan, there is a Malaysia as well. A country with Islamic rule, yet full liberty to minorities. Do take that into consideration as well. So, comparison with others doesn’t justify any of the sufferings imposed on a particular community.

      Anyways, It is of course a personal choice as to what we consider good. But living in a nation, where I see optimism that everyone can live peacefully without the shadow of communal forces. I don’t think Modi would ever fit that bill.

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