The right to dissent is the essence of democracy. Intolerance has an inhibiting effect on freedom of thought and discussion and is incompatible with a plural liberal democracy. Our Supreme Court has vindicated tolerance. Three students of Jehovah’s Witnesses faith refused to sing the Indian national anthem because they were forbidden by their religious beliefs to sing the national anthem of any country. The students were expelled. The Supreme Court struck down the expulsions. The court concluded with a ringing note: “Our tradition teaches tolerance; our philosophy preaches tolerance; our Constitution practices tolerance; let us not dilute it.”

The Supreme Court in its recent judgment upholding a partial temporary ban imposed on slaughter of cattle in municipal slaughterhouses in Ahmedabad noticed the “growing tendency of intolerance in our country”. Justice Markandey Katju speaking for the court deplored that “these days unfortunately some people seem to be perpetually on a short fuse, and are willing to protest often violently, about anything under the sun on the ground that a book or painting or film etc has hurt the sentiments of their community. These are dangerous tendencies and must be curbed with an iron hand. We are one nation and must respect each other and should have tolerance”.

The crucial point is that tolerance cannot be legislated nor can it be enforced by judgments. We must develop the capacity for tolerance by fostering an environment of tolerance, a culture of tolerance. Education has a vital role to play in this connection. Indeed the highest result of education is tolerance.

... contd.