Truth needs no defence

Truth needs no defence. Instead, lie and falsehood need swords and ‘senas’ to defend them. Truth is its own defence. Instead lies need to hire vociferous anchors and commercial TV Channels to convince everyone that black is white.

However loud one may shout or whatever clever argument one may employ, a lie can never become the truth. However high one may climb or how low one may descend, one can never hide from the truth. As Shakespeare has said ‘all the perfumes of Arabia’ cannot wash away the stain on one’s hand. One may rally around all the officials and institutions of the country to hide and bury the truth but as a Parliamentarian has said “truth has a way of coming out.” It will keep popping up until it meets with peace and justice. Peace, justice and truth belong to the same family. They go together. 

 We have been hearing shrill voices and loud noises on our TV Channels in the last week debating the BBC documentary on the ‘Modi Question’. We can have any number of debates or parliament sessions to establish the truth, it will be a futile exercise. When the highest court of the country is taking years to establish the truth, how can TV anchors and party leaders vouch for the truth, a hundred per cent, in the span of just a few minutes?    There is only one who knows the truth and fears the truth. The one living the lie.

Some equate themselves to the nation to make themselves immune to criticisms and ward off law agencies.  However high one may climb whatever position one may occupy, no one is equal to or higher than the country. Not even Napoleon made such a claim. No one should be allowed to rise so high that an attack on an individual is considered an attack on the nation. The nation is sovereign and integral but individuals who represent the nation are always not, even if they have been given a clean chit by the highest court in the country. There is always the possibility of a ‘ miscarriage of justice’ if not ‘Justice’ is being tutored!

“ What is truth?” Pilate asked Jesus during his trial. Jesus remained silent and looked at Pilate. Pilate looked into his eyes and in that look and silence, he knew the answer to his question, but rather than accept the truth and be free, he looked away. Truth is known in silence and stillness rather than in fiery debates and angry arguments. It is not that we don’t know the truth but it makes us uncomfortable so we employ all within our power to silence the truth. Isn’t it an irony that a big nation like India is not strong enough to withstand a foreign documentary film? If truth is on our side why fear?  If the truth is on their side, the truth will keep popping up. Pilate tried to bury the Truth but after three days it burst forth. It may take three days, three years or twenty years but certainly, the truth will rise again until it is victorious. Only truth can set us free.

-        George Chalil