A perfect example for the dilemma we often face in Indian democracy!
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other is not. Only one child played on the unused track, the rest on the operational track. A train is coming, and you are just beside the track interchange. You can make the train change its course to the unused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the unused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way? Let’s take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make…
Have you thought enough !!!!
Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. Save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally.
But, have you ever thought that the child chose to play on the unused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place? Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the RIGHT is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how far-sighted and knowledgeable the wise are.
The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined and was sacrificed.
The great critic Leo Velski Julian who told the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track were aware that the track was still in use, and that they would run away when they hear the train’s sirens. Now, If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never expects that a train could come over on the unused track!
Further, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to such a track, we may put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in our attempt to save few kids thinking that the train may run over them, we might end up sacrificing hundreds of people.
While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decision may not always be the right one.
“What’s Right isn’t always popular… and what’s popular isn’t always Right.”
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