Above Polarities

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