Tolerance is the acceptance of diversity without any prejudice and favoritism without any other’s opinion, culture, race, religion and nationality. In today’s environment, while efforts are being made to spread enmity between different sects in the country. In this environment, there is a great need to inculcate the virtue of tolerance as a responsible citizen of the country.
It is very important for a civil servant to be tolerant. Personally, the more he is free from prejudices and biases, the better he will manage the administration and maintain communal harmony. Let us try to understand it with a current example-
“The atmosphere in the country has worsened after former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma’s remarks regarding the worship of Islamists. The enmity between the Hindu-Muslim community is also increasing due to this.
A similar atmosphere was also prevailing in Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh. In the meantime, there was to be Friday prayers too. On the day of Friday prayers, the believers of Islam gather together in the mosque and offer Namaz.
Gonda district’s SP Akash Mishra visited Muslim areas on this day to avoid any possibility of any untoward incident. He called a shopkeeper and said – for the next three days from today you are the outpost in-charge and told the police officer that you will help them.
After this, the Friday prayers were completed in a very peaceful manner.
This is a very good example of community policing. A skilled police officer, through his tolerant and inclusive thinking, handled a district peacefully even in the most critical of circumstances.”
Examples of tolerance
Akbar started the Din-i-Ilahi religion. Based on logical thinking, this religion taught tolerance by rising above religious discrimination. Ashoka’s Dhamma also recommends dealing with the followers of all religions with tolerance.
Vedic religion in India also teaches something similar. These scriptures, which teach Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, believe that the whole world is one family. Today, while globalization is considered a new concept. Our scriptures have been following that concept for years.
The teachings and deeds of Kabirdas, Tulsidas, Nanak, Mirbai and Ravidas also teach tolerance. Gandhi’s Jantar in the twentieth century suggests a remedy for the dilemma that arises while taking a decision regarding a matter.
According to this remedy, while taking a decision in a situation of moral dilemma, focus on that person and decide for him who is the poorest or the person sitting in the last row. Apart from this, Gandhiji’s teachings are also based on secularism and tolerance which are relevant in contemporary circumstances.