Humanity’s Duryodhan Moment

As the classic Mahabharata moves towards its conclusion, there are different versions of how the main antagonist, Duryodhan reacts to his impending defeat and ultimate demise.Most versions of the Mahabharata show him unrepentant as he lies fatally wounded on the Kurukshetra battlefield, alone and untended. But some say that he is reconciling to his defeat and recognising the wrongs he had done in his life.When one is faced with ultimate death and destruction, and no escape route is left, coming to terms with the reality is the only way out.

COVID 19 has forced humanity to face another such Duryodhan moment in its history. Such moments come from time to time, and perhaps after long intervals.Perhaps the death and doom resulting from the COVID-19 crisis will make human beings realise the misuse of the earth over the ages. Maybe, humanity will wake up to the responsibility it owes to planet earth. Maybe and just maybe we wake up to our responsibility for preserving and protecting the environment. Perhaps we stop fighting each other for control and use of the earth’s resources.

Political parties in India also need to introspect - are they going to continue fighting each other as cats and dogs, or they are to try to build consensus on important issues.The last few years have seen the death of consensus in India and the tendency to ride roughshod over opponents. The latest episode of adoption of farm legislation is an illustration of this approach.

This has already resulted in the virtual start of dismantling of the National Democratic Alliance, NDA. Two founding parties of the grouping, the Shiv Sena and the Shiromani Akali Dal, have already left and more may leave in the future.On the other side of the spectrum, the Congress is facing its own demons. With successive election defeats, there is a tussle between the so-called family and some of the others, who want a share in the decision making.Political parties as well as the country as a whole need to reinvent the consensual approach to face the challenge of the difficult times the world is going through.Sadly, there is no sign of such an approach emerging. Maybe we have to face more dark nights before waking up.