How to air your view on a sensitive issue?
By truthisgod
@truthisgod (106)
India
October 16, 2011 9:48am CST
Recently, a prominent lawyer and public figure in India was beaten up by hoodlums who entered his chamber in the court unobstructed. He was beaten up for his views on Kashmir that he made public. Kashmir is a sensitive issue for both India and Pakistan, each claiming it as their integral part. Currently, most of the Kashmir is a part of India according to a treaty signed by the then king of Kashmir and the Government of India, yet a small part of it was usurped by Pakistan by armed intervention and before India could respond suitably, a cease fire was declared. This was way back in India. Since then while India claims Pakistan part of Kashmir illegal, Pakistan claims Indian part as illegal and the controversy has not died down since then. India vehemently opposes plebiscite on the Kashmir issue on the grounds that the situation is not normal in Kashmir as in the pre-1948 phase, while there are others that want the issue to be decided on the basis of plebiscite. In the context of the above, Mr Prashant Bhushan was beaten up because he publicly opined that Kashmir issue should be resolved on the basis of plebiscite. It is worrying that sensitive issues can be so emotion-laden that speaking on the issue with an open mind can be a real threat. So, I want to ask how should a person air their views in democratic society, yet intolerant over sensitive issues. Thanking you in advance for your views.
3 responses
@Trista426 (11)
• China
17 Oct 11
Actually, the phenomenon is quite common in all countries like that.Faced with such situations, most Chinese people choose to remain silent and gradually, we grow numb to events seem to be have little to do with us but concerning us in fact.Step by step, our society will be full of indifferent and low-temperatured machines instead of human beings. So from my perspective, we should speak out,but we should post it in a milder and with strategies.
@truthisgod (106)
• India
18 Oct 11
Yes, Trista426, that's a common phenomena in all societies. The reason Chinese people choose to remain silent is their political set up. However with globalization I foresee a converging global society and web space is emerging as a powerful platform to express independent views and opinions without the threat of being harmed for holding contrary views not to the liking of the others.
@GemmaR (8517)
•
16 Oct 11
I think that if the views that you're airing are illegal or could get you into trouble like that, then the best thing to do is simply to remain quiet and don't tell the world of the views that you hold at all. This would mean that you are unlikely to get into trouble. In other situations, you have to put yourself in the shoes of those who you are talking to, and simply consider whether you think that they would be offended by the things that you're wanting to say to them. I would never say anything to anybody if I thought that it was going to knowingly upset or offend them in any way.
@truthisgod (106)
• India
18 Oct 11
You're right GemmaR, that could be a good interpersonal communication strategy. However, just think when as public figure you must hold certain views explicitly and with conviction or else you might lose the confidence of your followers.
@lampar (7584)
• United States
16 Oct 11
It is the fault of that hoodlum that resort to violent to make his point, it is that hoodlum the society need to put a leash on him and throw his as* into a dungeon to deal with his own temper. Yes, in every democracy, everyone and anyone has a voice and rights to have his/her personal opinion heard. It doesn't matter you agree or disagree with him, you can support or reject his rhetoric using your votes in the polling day, not resort to violent reaction to his statement. Kashmir is a sensitive issue between India and Pakistan, it need to be trended with caution from both sides, it is better to let that province remain its present status quo and control by both countries in respective space without further provocation from either side, let the people of Kashmir decide their own fate and elect those they want to represent themselves, not Pakistan or India political elites. 
