The current developments within the Congress occasion, are, by all indications, greater than a storm in a tea cup. That is so as a result of regardless of the hundreds of tea cups consumed by the authors of the leaked letter through the years on the unique membership of the AICC, they’ve chosen to complain in regards to the high quality of tea served. However they’ve left us all questioning if there are tea leaves left on the backside of their cups for us to learn our future. Maybe we should always reconcile to the concept their notion of democracy entails having the tea and studying the tea leaves themselves. Due to this fact, these of us who’re disadvantaged of tea and scones should make do with the normal palm-reading of the Congress hand, so to talk.
Curiously, and fortuitously, we’re all dedicated and satisfied that the battle in the present day is, as Dr Manmohan Singh as soon as described it, for the hearts and minds of the individuals. We might disagree on whether or not hand-holding comes first or follows the persuasion of the heart-mind coalition, however absolutely greater than searching for house within the occasion now we have liked, served and sought political sustenance from, we have to make sure that the assault by our adversaries on out establishments and the thoughts video games that problem the Swacch Bharat of our collective mind don’t squeeze us out utterly. We’ll reside to jot down letters if the Bharat or Hind we imagine in doesn’t survive.
However in fact the authors will say, “That’s precisely the purpose'”. Are we then in settlement, even when we look like in opposition? A clue to this shall be discovered within the tone and tenor of every aspect (the expression is used for need of a greater vocabulary) and such makes an attempt to gracefully dialogue our convictions. The very last thing to do is to hurry for invites to the excessive desk to be seated for a recent spherical of tea. It’ll assist to remind ourselves, this too will cross. Within the course of, although, we are going to all should await judgment on whether or not we cross the check of being upright and unimpeachable in our dealing with of the disaster of conscience.
Lest the reader begins to surprise why we aren’t coming to the purpose, let me be plain. I’ve mentioned it already, and I say it once more – every one in every of us understands that human organisations should not good and it is sufficient to continuously try in the direction of perfection. One would possibly even forbear and never react to sudden spurts of idealism and urgency in searching for reform as long as the protagonists make an effort to elucidate the urgency. It could, for example, require the privileged few to step out of their consolation zones and share their cups of tea with the world past. It can not simply be a shuffling of seats on the excessive desk and one other spherical of a scorching beverage. We now have had a conventional host on the head of the desk and they also stay, regardless of how they select to explain themselves within the present invitation playing cards. Earlier than leaping to conclusions about our understanding, and certainly dedication to democratic ethos, the self-chosen vox populi should briefly replicate on their very own lacking mandate, even when the trigger is well-intentioned. They have to additionally look afresh on the position of custom, conference, consensus, legacy, heritage, and so on earlier than blindly driving a ‘democratic’ bulldozer on our existence. If we proceed to carry on to our safety blankets after they’ve unilaterally dumped theirs, should we be seen as renegades to trendy aspirations?
Our having chosen to proceed unflinching allegiance to the leaders who’ve given us a terrific deal, each subjectively and objectively (I select the phrase “chief” fastidiously and consciously as an alternative of Get together President, and so on) should hopefully give them power but additionally put an unlimited burden on their broad shoulders. They haven’t allow us to down earlier than and can absolutely not allow us to down now. However we should belief them and positively can not assume that we all know higher. Understandably, we’re in uncommon, extraordinary instances that decision for extraordinary initiatives and attitudes. I’m not so sure that the drift of the letter is contextually extraordinary.
So the place can we go from right here? Different tea events are inevitable and we don’t complain about not being invited. Sharing cups of tea with the media maybe may wait as may itchy fingers typing out tweets. It turns into tough to not reply in any respect given the stress of a one-sided occupy social media effort. However truthfully, we have to speak, want to stay family and friends. Too many individuals are sad within the nation for us so as to add to the unhappiness quotient. Some individuals would possibly even recommend that some others ought to say “Sorry”. I might solely borrow a line from the movie ‘Love Story’: “Love means by no means to should apologize'”. All we have to do is to point out just a little love. That, by the way, is the supply of democracy.
(Salman Khurshid is a senior advocate, Congress occasion chief, and is a former Minister of Exterior Affairs.)
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed inside this text are the private opinions of the writer. The info and opinions showing within the article don’t replicate the views of NDTV and NDTV doesn’t assume any duty or legal responsibility for a similar.
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