An opportunity in a difficult time!

This photograph may remind many of us of the sights, we see in our streets almost daily, with the forthcoming elections in four state assemblies towards the end of the year and the parliamentary election next year.

These marches, rallies, public meetings, etc remind us of the democratic process of creating a majority opinion to sway people towards an ideology and a political party.

Some of us wonder, whether this democratic process has almost got out of control with speeches at these political rallies becoming accusatory, defamatory and acrimonious. We rarely hear discussion or exposition of ideologies, or alternatives solutions to issues we are faced with. It looks to me that there is a determined effort to malign leaders in the opposite side of the political spectrum, by below belt comments, meant to provoke and hurt. This to me is not democracy or political campaigning, but a highly distorted view values in democratic tradition.  

I read and watched the election process in Australia which brought another party to govern the country. I felt there was respect of people, even when policies were subject to scrutiny and criticism. 

I have had occasions to listen to debates in the house of Commons and the House of the Lords in England. I felt elated by the respect and honour the parliamentarians offer to each other, which was inherent even during heated debates.  

The forty or so percent of our population who are below forty years of age are charged emotionally and swayed by the rhetoric of the political leaders that, I fear the spread of an increasing spirit of intolerance, animosity, and confrontational attitude.  This spills over to create tension between religious groups and communities. I feel anxious that we are getting divided as a nation emotionally and socially. This is inconsistent with the spirit democracy of a nation.

I have a suggestion. Can we take more peace initiatives! Can we speak, write, and advocate to respect the worth and value of others, although they prescribe a different political or religious ideology. 

This campaign can begin from our pulpits and messages and talks we give on different occasions. 

It is peace and goodwill, which we are committed to as messengengers of the first Christmas story. I wish we have people like, late Brother Roger of Taize' movement, to dissolve human barriers we create and create an instinct for pilgrimage for peace!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)