National discourse on ‘the role of religion and politics in
the context of human values in present era’ was organized by the ‘Ultimate
Educational Vocational and Social Welfare Association’ on 28th December 2019 at
the Constitution Club of India, Delhi with the aim of raising human values
across the country.
Below is the excerpt from the speech delivered on occasion by
Dr Birbal Jha, the Managing Director of British Lingua, and an institute of
communication skills of international repute and the Chairman of Mithilalok
Foundation working for socio-cultural and economic development in the country.
There is worth of every being in this world. Efforts of
co-existing in society, sharing love, giving respect, developing an
understanding for the protection of every being are our human values. They need
strengthening owing to the changing nature of existence itself.
Practising these very principles is our dharma. And our
dharma is our way of life. How we think, how we conduct ourselves, and what we
practice, all these are parts of our dharma. Hence, Our Dharma should seek to
live a significant life and add values to the society we are born in.
Politics is to frame policies of ensuring the co-existence,
governance, discipline and helping realize the aims, objectives and philosophy
of human values. It has both preventive and punitive aspects while running a
family, society, nation, or the world itself.
We need to bear in mind all the time that we can give life to
somebody but we can’t take anyone’s life. Giving life to someone is our
privilege to protect the process of God’s creation, while taking it back is
against Godly principles.
Protecting human life is saving human values. Taking
someone’s life is not only against nature, but also a heinous and unpardonable
crime that everybody would agree to pooh-pooh. However, there are some people
around the world who appear to be blood thirsty of each other. They often elbow
down each other to take advantage.
To raise the human values is to create a congenial
environment of living together with a bonding, not only to survive and sustain,
but to evolve to a higher possibility. Being inclusive and giving a better
place to our future generations to live, while driving out malice both from the
self and society must be supreme. Thus, thanks to our dharma of humanity, we all
can connect to God.
Ensuring the existence of human life is creating a society of
living together. Creating an infrastructure for the same and ensuring good
governance and justice to all should be the aim and objective of politics.
However, the politics of the day is in poor shape. The
meaning of politics has been distorted to suit a particular class of people that
wants to rule but shy away from taking on their responsibilities.
It is a big concern. How a new definition of politics has
sneaked into our system! Gaining power by hook or by crook has become the new
definition of politics. The basic essence of framing policies for the
betterment of the nation and society has taken a back seat. Befooling others, hoodwinking,
telling lies and spreading rumors seem to characterize politics practised these
days. However, politics should mean that the national interest is above
personal gains and vested interest. Probity should be an essential part of
political affairs.
It is an open secret how mercenaries, scandals, deceit,
disruption, etc. are used to wipe out a person for a personal gain. Those in power
are so intoxicated that they forget that nothing is permanent in this world.
They neglect the real objectives of politics for their personal gains. The
blame game has become the order of the day. Misleading, not leading, has become
the practice of shrewd politicians. We hardly find statesmen and visionaries in
today’s political circle.
Thus, human values are at stake. We need to acknowledge the
fact that everyone and everything in this universe is different and have their
own value for existence. It means each of us is unique. We are expected to do
something unique. Each of us needs to ask what values we are going to add to
this world while acknowledging the value of others.
I believe if we begin to ask ourselves we can find the answer
to the question on our own. We will begin to understand human values. We would
learn to appreciate everything and everyone around us. Being human means being
able to observe and act consciously. We need to seek the ideal balance between
diversity and unity of our thoughts, understandings and actions. There must be
a reconciliation between our actions and thoughts
Our Dharma is not only to perform our duties but to ensure
that we stand out against the evil forces that try to bring disharmony and work
against the well-being of society and nation with malice in their minds.
Recognition of uniqueness of everyone will strengthen our
view. Whether it is the Ramayana, the Gita, the Quran or the Bible, the spirit
is the same- do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Hence, our education policy needs revisiting. It is the
education that transforms us into valuable beings. Our direction towards
setting things right should begin from home, educational institutions and
public life. That would be the first step towards instilling human values,
clean politics and upholding one's dharma. Charity begins at home. Let’s clean
our home first and the surroundings.
Dr Birbal Jha is a noted author and the youngest Living
Legend of Mithila.
