The jungle rules when the state bows
The government is not just an institution that allows some individuals to play leader and enjoy the perks (अनुलाभ/फायदा) of office.
The authority of the state is what separates order from chaos (अराजकता/अव्यवस्था) , progress from stagnation (विकासहीनता/गतिहीनता), pursuit (खोज/तलाश) of knowledge and civility from primitivity, and the rule of law from the maxim ‘might is right’.
The Fadnavis government of Maharashtra has knuckled down (नीचे झुकना) under threats of violence from one political party that got all of 0.8% of the vote when it contested elections the last time around, when it colluded (साँठ-गाँठ करना/गुट करना) in postponing the release of a film opposed by the party on threat of violence. This is most unfortunate. The government has demonstrated that the threat of violence can make it bend the law of the land.
This makes room for the law of the jungle. Intolerance comes in the way of normalcy and industry — in the sense of being industrious as well as doing business — both of which are a government’s job to facilitate (सुगम करना/आसान करना) and enhance. Ratan Tata, a fellow Mumbaikar, at a function on Sunday criticized the rise of intolerance dubbing it “a curse we are seeing of late”. He is right to be concerned as a citizen as well as a businessman.
When an elected government abdicates (अधिकार को त्यागना) its duty to protect citizens and their right to free expression, it helps the rise of intolerance. Of course, this is not a new phenomenon. The Congress governments of Maharashtra have traditionally allowed the Shiv Sena to take the law into its own hands. Indeed, the rise of the Sena owed to the desire of the established political parties of the state to see an external force physically break up the militant trade unions that threatened to give the state’s politics a leftward tilt.
The state’s patronage (संरक्षण /प्रतिपालन) of the Sena’s practice of physical intimidation (धमकी) stems from this history. Tolerance and diversity of thought and opinion are virtues in themselves in a democracy. That apart, regimentation (अनुशासन/नियंत्रण) of thought would stifle (दबाना) critical thinking and its permeation (पारगमन) into the economy that leads to innovation. Endorsement (समर्थन/पुष्टि) of intolerance is bad politics and bad economics.
Chaos (noun)
Complete disorder and confusion. अराजकता/अव्यवस्था
Synonyms: Anarchy, Turmoil, Clutter, Disarray, Muddle
Example: The chaos in the cafeteria began when one student threw his lunch at another student.
Stagnation (noun)
State of being still, or not moving. गतिहीनता /विकासहीनता
Synonyms: Fixture, Sluggishness, Dullness, Torpidity
Example: Throughout the 18th century Europe was less an era of stagnation than of transition.
Pursuit (noun)
The process of trying to achieve/follow/chase something (as for knowledge) खोज/तलाश
Synonyms: Quest, Search, Discovery, Reconnoiter
Example: The United States is considering invading Afghanistan in pursuit of the terrorist leader.
Facilitate (verb)
Make (an action or process) easy or easier. सुगम करना/आसान करना
Synonyms: Ease, Aid, Simplify, Smooth
Example: The translator will facilitate the conversation between the immigrant and the attorney.
Abdicate (verb)
Fail to fulfill or undertake (a responsibility or duty) so gave up. अधिकार को त्यागना
Synonyms: Relinquish, Forsake, Forgo, Reject
Example: Of course, it is easier to abdicate your responsibilities than to be a good citizen.
Patronage (noun)
The support given by a patron. संरक्षण /प्रतिपालन
Synonyms: Conservation, Guardianship, Protectorate, Backing
Example: Your patronage of the arts program will allow our students to put on four plays this year.
Intimidation (noun)
The action of intimidating/menacing someone. धमकी
Synonyms: Reprimand, Menace, Denouncement
Example: The mob tries to intimidate shop owners into paying protection fees.
Regimentation (noun)
An act to form into an organized group, usually for the purpose of rigid orcomplete control. अनुशासन/नियंत्रण
Synonyms: Methodization, Institutionalization, Strictness, Standardization
Example: In addition to the academic demands, there were social pressures that came as a shock, the unfamiliar regimentation of a school environment.
Stifle (verb)
Restrain (a reaction) or stop one acting on (an emotion). दबाना
Synonyms: Suppress, Squeeze, Press, Cramp
Example: He was so stifled under political pressure that he vote eventually turned to be biased.
Endorsement (noun)
The action of endorsing/backing someone or something. समर्थन/पुष्टि
Synonyms: Support, Backing, Approval
Example: The singer is being paid to endorse the soft drink in a series of commercials.
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