Sir — This refers to the editorial, “It is time to celebrate” (September 25). Amartya Sen’s book, The Argumentative Indian, traces India’s tradition of public debate and intellectual pluralism for millennia. Arguments in these debates were always logical, scientific and intellectual and never intended to floor the opponents inspite of valid arguments. This was the reason why this country was proclaimed as the jagatguru. This starkly contrasts our current television debates, where people of different viewpoints lack respect and understanding for each other.
A look at the Western universities will shock our intellectual community when they learn about the charters being issued by those shapers of future generations, led by the University of Chicago, for instance, and many other top ranking institutions, emphasising that we should be prepared to “think unthinkable and speak unspeakable”. Comparing this to our universities, where if you do not fall in line with the popular views, you are not allowed on the campus. How did we come to this detestable passIJ
Debates do manifest some of our economic, social and political concerns, but in a divergent country like India, they should not become a tipping point to an existential crisis. let us learn to respect others’ views, their palatability notwithstanding, have patience, and respond coolly, responsibly and with grace. That is what India has always been.