| To compromise
with falsehood is not tolerance or nonviolence. It is self-destruction. To turn away in
fear or hesitation, not to stand up for what one believes is true, is not modesty but
self-betrayal. The world needs a spiritual and moral force that speaks out, or a Divine
silence that makes us question all that we do. Not
only the leaders of India, Whether political, intellectual or religious, must arise with
the force of Arjuna, they must defend humanity as a whole, the environment as a whole, the
Earth as our Mother, religion as a force of universality and peace. This is not merely to
tell everyone that they are right and approve of all cultures and all religions. It is to
be the conscience of the world and most people will not like to hear its voice, as we have
been ignoring it so much and for so long. |
