Unzila Siddiqui
The foundation of any human society rests upon a single essential cornerstone: tolerance. The natural order operates through balance and mutual harmony—trees remain rooted to the earth, rivers flow along designated paths, and night gracefully yields to day. Within this universe exists a silent covenant acknowledging the presence of the other. Yet, when we examine human society, particularly our political landscape, the sight is unsettling. It appears as though we have turned disagreement into a cardinal sin, reducing politics—once a struggle of ideals and public service—into an arena of personal animosity and ego. This erosion of political tolerance acts like termite damage, slowly eating away at our social fabric.
Looking back through history, politics once wore a dignified face. There was an era when political leaders criticized each other sharply on the floor of parliament, only to share a warm cup of tea and lighthearted conversation once outside the chamber. They opposed each other’s ideas, not each other’s existence. Their words may have been biting, yet their tone retained grace, civility, and literary refinement. Language was chosen carefully to convey a point without diminishing the dignity of the opponent. Today’s political landscape presents a stark contrast, where reasoned argument has given way to noise and hostility.
The maturity of a society is measured not by uniform agreement, but by the dignity and respect accorded to differing viewpoints. Tolerance does not require endorsing another’s views; its true essence lies in recognizing their right to hold a different perspective. The beauty of democracy rests in granting a voice to every individual, regardless of background or ideology. When we strip politics of this grace, democracy transforms into a form of authoritarianism where only a single narrative is deemed acceptable. A dangerous sentiment has taken root in our discourse: the belief that anyone who disagrees cannot be a well-wisher of the nation. This mindset fractures society, erecting walls of division where understanding ought to exist.
In this shifting landscape, social media has added fuel to the fire. Technology, intended to bring people closer, has instead amplified distances and hostility. Armed with virtual platforms, individuals often launch verbal attacks the moment an opinion strays from their preferred standard.
A measured, soft-spoken tone carries far greater weight than a shouting voice. When you speak quietly with reason, your words resonate with the listener; when you attempt to prevail through clamor, the other party simply raises their defenses. Our political leadership must realize that their words, actions, and gestures shape the attitudes of millions. If leaders display anger and intolerance on national screens, civility cannot be expected from the everyday citizen.
This deficit of tolerance has impacted the younger generation most deeply. The youth, who represent the nation’s future, increasingly view politics as a destructive sport rather than a constructive pursuit. An impression is taking root that success requires aggression, disrespect, and the belittling of others—an intellectual decline whose consequences will echo for decades. Should we fail to reassess our conduct, we risk becoming a society where peace remains confined to textbooks.
Dissent is a sign of life. If everyone thought alike, the world would lose its color and vitality. Diversity of thought drives human progress. What we need is to revive the tradition of genuine dialogue in politics—a process where individuals holding different views sit opposite one another, express their perspectives, and listen calmly. Dialogue is not meant to declare a victor or defeat an opponent, but to find a middle ground for the collective good.
Let us pause and consider the direction in which we are moving. Politics is not merely the pursuit of power; it is a sacred trust aimed at public welfare. Until tolerance, empathy, and mutual respect are restored to our political culture, we cannot build a civilized society. The hour demands that all political factions rise above personal interests, gather at the table, and commit to bringing gentleness back to their speech, openness to their hearts, and tolerance to their politics.
Governments come and go, and the sun of power rises and sets, but what endures is character and conduct. If we lose our ethics and civility in political battles, any victory achieved will ultimately amount to a profound defeat. It is time to close the market of hostility and light the lamps of tolerance and empathy, allowing coming generations to breathe in a peaceful and dignified environment.
The writer is columnist and dentist and Registered member of PFUC .SHe can be reached at [email protected]
