Dissent strengthens democracy

At a time when opportunism is everything, when hope seems lost and when everything boils down to a sinister business deal, there emerges a ray of hope through collective dissent and peaceful resistance. It repeats itself often to lend belief in reclaiming justice, freedom and dignity. It makes common cause the driving force to understand how this big old machine called government works, by whom and for whom. It reinforces belief in democracy through an act of dissent.

The recent Bt Brinjal controversy has not only built upon the continuum of 'social resistance' but has reclaimed public space for enforcing decision in favor of larger public good. While one may not be convinced that public control by itself solves the problem but it sets the framework for transparency. Given the fact that we are operating in a risk culture where knowledge can never be certain or predictable, amplifying voices of teeming millions is critical to responsive governance. Without doubt, we need new notions of responsibility, accountability, prudence and propriety to bridge the public-private divide.

A Calendar of Resistance, a single point source for references on social movements, chronicles movements of all kinds - against social deprivation, against mindless development and against cultural oppression. The first-ever compilation of the kind will serve a primary research tool as well as an inspiration for furthering the work that has already taken place. More importantly, the book reflects that the silent majority has incredible energy to rewrite history. Such movements provide a glimmer of hope in an era when despondency is writ large on a majority. How we respond will determine the democracy of the future!

A Calendar of Resistance - Resource Book, Intercultural Resources, New Delhi, 120 pages, Price not quoted