There is always a line, everywhere, suggesting ‘do not cross’. It is individually, culturally, socially, legally defined. And it is not fixed. It differs for all those definitions, depending upon where, when and who has set it.
Lines have been described for centuries as borders, boundaries, limits, the tipping point, ‘that’s it and no more’; all have meanings far greater than one thinks.
The Ramayana, great Hindu epic, has it as a key feature, Lakshmana’s three lines for Sita. Did interwoven stories of Mahabharata have a line or many lines? What about other scriptures, religious, social and legal texts? There are so many examples. And new lines are formed each day, limits are being set.
But then people cross it, for various reasons, sometimes just to enjoy the thrill. Many experience the consequences; many people escape and get away with it. Some cross it as an urge to do the opposite of what has been asked, suggested, advised. As a revolt or foolishly, some attempt to cross without any meaning and reason. But some do it deliberately, knowingly, as bravado that they can do it, they can do something that others dare not. They do not take ‘no’ as ‘no’. They do not stop at lines. What do you do with them, the ones who cross the line, knowing that they should not?
Crossing the line offends, irritates, disturbs people. It tests the patience; even the tolerance has a limit. Sometime tolerance gives away to explosion, more destruction, to many unintended consequences.
Often it seems, people tolerate, they do not react or respond. But it does not mean they allow or find it acceptable. Silences do not mean affirmation or ‘yes’. Sometime they do not want to be the first to point out, or lose their polite demeanour, or be rude, or simply they do not know how to respond. Some do become just spectators and recede more troubled, even traumatised.
Lines have meanings. They are there for a reason. They may be appropriate or inappropriate based on whichever side you are looking it from. Lines are crossed and violated. They are attempted to be crossed with reason or without it. And it may or may not be possible to do anything about it, based on who, what and where you are. Lines are moved, redefined, but they are not erased. Protest, if you must, but be within the line, because beyond this, you are affecting others.
Where do you stop? Where to draw the line for yourself? How to know what’s the real line you should not cross. There is just one golden rule, to clear away all the confusions. Remember to stop before your words,acts, and even thoughts affect another person negatively. That’s your line. Stop there.
(The Odisha-born writer is a consultant psychiatrist at Wolverhampton, UK)