Anupam- The Dreamer

The nature, as it exists, is brutal out there. You see the animal kingdom, where the bigger and stronger eats the smaller and meek. There is only one law- “might is right”. In the oceans, there is Matsya-nyaya (मत्स्य न्याय), meaning “the bigger fish eats the smaller fish”. It is the law of nature that has made them so, therefore as such the bigger animals or fishes are not at fault.

Matsya-nyaya in action

But, the human world is a bit different. Although, the universal law of “might is right” may have been the governing principle in pre-historic times, but through the later history as human civilization emerged, we sought to depart from this universal law of “might is right” to create a society based on “humanistic values”.  And what were they? These were the values of compassion towards the weaker sections, love, care, empathy, morality, justice, equality, freedom of speech and expression etc. We endeavored to create a society which has a place for the strong and the weak alike, where every man and woman can have a right to lead a good life, irrespective of status and class. Although, this is not to say that we have been successful in creation of such a “humanistic society”, but atleast we have come a long way in reducing the “brutalities” of the animal world as it exists in the nature. Earlier, during the times of kingdoms, people were killed in the name of expansion of territory. Large kingdoms swallowed smaller kingdoms, large advanced nations colonized the smaller and technologically backward nations.

However, in the 20^th and 21^st century world, we have tried to ensure justice to the weaker sections of the society, given them equal voting rights in a democracy, right to express their thoughts freely, provided essential goods and services to the poor people like food, water, sanitation, health and education etc. If we were living in the brutal and cruel world, only the rich and powerful could survive in this world. There would be no place for the weak and poor. Similarly, in the domain of international law, the humanity has made some significant achievements like respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries, free and fair trade practices for all, Most Favoured Nation status for the weaker economies, concessions and soft loans for the small nations, rules-based world order free from the scourge of world wars and so on.

So, in a way, the humanity as a whole has come a long way for wiping out the “Matsya-nyaya” in the world of humans. Although, one may say that still there are crimes by the rich and powerful on the poor and weak, still there is use of force by strong on the meek, still the money and power rules the roost, still the powerful don’t want to cede power to the deserving people. But, one cannot discount the fact that the brutalities and death rates have fallen significantly since the end of World Wars, except for sporadic instances of civil wars, military coups, small-scale wars, military invasions, at times. Now, as we stand today, when we look forward we have a lot more ground to cover in creation of a more “humanistic world”.  And as we look back, we see that “Matsya-nyaya” has been left behind in many areas. So, from this point, we cannot afford to fall back into the pit of “Matsya-nyaya” where only the “might is right”.

The recent events around the world seem to have put brakes on our onward journey to create a more humanistic world. Sometimes, it seems that we are falling back into the pit of “Matsya-nyaya”, when we hear instances of strong nations bullying the weaker ones, when military solutions outnumber the diplomatic resolutions, where the international law is followed more in violation than in adherence, when the international treaties are flouted with impunity. When the world goes back on its promise to ensure a sustainable planet, it is “Matsya-nyaya”. When, the strong nations or large corporations want a control over the resources of other nations, then it is “Matsya-nyaya” in neo-colonial avatar. When we become selfish and greedy for our own interests, then it is nothing but “Matsya-nyaya”! Sometimes, our animal instincts resurface beneath our human-clothed skins and we forget all things that make humans “humans”! But, what kind of world do we want to create, is a million-dollar question before us!

“Matsya-nyaya” looks at the world as a zero-sum game. You win, I lose. I win, you lose. But, in a world defined by human values, it is not a zero-sum game, rather it is a win-win for everyone. It’s true that the rich and powerful will have to cede some of their riches and power for the benefit of others. But, wouldn’t it create a more equal, dignified, just and a happy world, if they really do so? And isn’t true happiness and solace found in sharing with others what we already have in plenty? And doesn’t being kind and caring to others help us back in innumerable ways? It is said that “Poverty anywhere is a threat to prosperity everywhere”! If the rich and powerful think that they are better-off in the “Matsya-nyaya” phase, then they should not forget that when smaller fishes unite, they can even destroy a larger fish!

Reverse Matsya-nyaya in action

The graph of human progress should go upwards and only upwards and we must guard against the forces that pull us back into the pit of brutality. We don’t need more of “Matsya-nyaya”, rather we need more of “human-nyaya”. So, where are you standing in this kurukshetra of nyaya? 😉

Till next time……