Al-Risala (English), October 1986

Avoidance The Sole Solution

1986 10 October 2-3 Avoidance: The Sole Solution (699) One of the most serious problems facing India today is communal rioting. A baneful legacy from pre-independence days, it is assuming even severer and more alarming proportions everyday.

In essence, it is a law and order problem, and, as such, is the prime responsibility of the administration. Any failure on the part of the powers that be to control the situation is inexcusable. But the fact remains that the administration has proved itself inadequate to the task time and time again, and the reasons for this – inefficiency and corruption – are as such to be deplored as their hideous consequences. Despite the fact that the administration is constantly under critical fire, its failure on every front is again and again made manifest.

The other great stumbling block is the fact that by nature, man is a fighter. He hits back when he is struck and retaliates in kind for even lesser provocations. Yet people may remain angry with each other over long periods without ever coming to blows, remaining for the greater part of the time engrossed in practical affairs and worldly commitments. But the moment they come face to face and any kind of overt provocation is offered, there is bound to be a flare-up. All it takes is a slighting word, a sarcastic curl of the lip or a demeaning gesture to bring long-dormant grudges to the surface. What may have started as a minor difference of opinion can then escalate into a major, deadly conflict. It has aptly been said that “when one’s ego is touched, it turns into superego, and the result is breakdown”.

Can there be no hope that matters will ever improve? The situation being as it is in this country, it would, at first sight, seem not.

But then, if we are to find a solution to this problem, we must turn away from the administration, and towards the rioters themselves and their victims. Who are the people involved? And what are their grievances? It is common knowledge that rioting stems from quarrels between the majority and minority communities.

It has to be avowed that it is invariably the minority community which is the oppressed and the majority community which is the oppressor. But since it is seldom that those in the majority are ever willing to listen to moral overtures, far less respond to them, it is futile to hope that this approach will produce a solution to the problem. Making any kind of breach in the armour of complacency and corruption is an extremely difficult thing to do.

What then are the practical options? Keeping in view the actual state of affairs, it is up to the minority community to take the lead. Since no amount of reasoning or persuasion is going to have the slightest effect on the majority community. The minority community must set an example by steadfastly exhibiting moderation and restraint in the face of provocation, no matter how severe, and must under no circumstance act provocatively. There has to be a unilateral decision that this is the only course to be followed, and it must be backed up by determination and followed out with endurance.

History shows us innumerable instances of riots having been averted by the elders of various communities having prevailed upon their younger and more hot-headed members to eschew the ways of violence, even when severely provoked. Whenever such wisdom has prevailed, amicable solutions have been found and life has returned to normal. What has been done in the past can certainly be done in the present, and there should be no lack of confidence that success can be achieved in this field.

This may appear to be an extraordinary solution to the problem of rioting, but considering that the minority community is in no position to compel the majority to behave with compunction and to refrain from persecution, there is little else that can be done. This should not, however, be viewed as negative passivity. In attitudes and conduct, the policy of restraint should be considered a positive principle. Once such a mentality develops, it will be seen quite clearly that it is one hundred per cent possible to achieve results through restraint.