O J’s Corner
Conflicts all the way

Conflicts confront the world at all times. The root-cause of conflicts is the desire to grab power. Theologians would still restrict it to desire. Desires of all sorts engineer minds to undertake acts of cruelty, at least wily selfish steps, to grab things, positions and facilities which are often others’ dues. They would quote even the Bible. Love thy neighbour as thyself. Do unto others what you would want others to do unto you. The argument of the protagonist would be like this. No word of God restricts individuals from undertaking acts that would help oneself. Flourish oneself first and then help others. This is the attitude of even Godmen, who are supposed to uphold the principle of renunciation first. Is not this cavil that did the undoing for Thanku Brother, K P Yohannan and their ilk the world over? I am not quite sure. But there is a grain of truth in it. Acquiring fabulous flab of wealth for oneself in the name of God is ungodly. This is akin to materialistic individuals grabbing wealth by foul means. In this case, the alibi rests with serving God.

Coming to conflicts, the propensity for clinging on to power of all sorts, religious, ideological, sociological and so on leads to conflicts. In Orissa, tribesmen are being cajoled by many pursuits. Everyone wants a cake in that belt. Murder and mayhem will not help anyone. Now even Naxalites are talking of taking care of minorities and that too Christians. What a perverse idea?

Be it Kashmir, Palestine or elsewhere, faiths, religion and persuasions militate against each other, resulting in conflicsts and even skirmishes, battles and ultimately battles. We speak about the present conflicts. The gigantic nature of cruelty was perpetrated in Nazi concentration camps. And some powerful entities looked askance at the happenings there.

People should learn to live in society in harmony. Vested interests would always like to foment trouble. But whatever the provocations, hatred should not be the influencing paradigm.