The ghost of the past

 

While we cannot live without history, we need not live within it either.

-Argumentative Indian, Amartya Sen

Diving deep into history is like chasing a sea monster. You hear stories and accept it for what it is. The next thing you know is that you are leading an armada to hunt the moster. From the Israel - Palestine issue to Pakistani transgressions in Indian territory- all are a product of historical disputes. I must admit that my knowledge is limited to comment on history but my admission is not enough. (I’m insignificant since my thoughts won’t influence many. Maybe you, the reader, are the only one who would know them.) Unlike me, some people have power- like media or leaders of various organizations- who claim to know everything. I don't doubt their skills or wisdom. They go through umpteen sources before concluding. I'm more worried that history has many versions. Which to believe and which to discard is chosen to suit one's convenience. Many a time the choice won't have a scientific basis. I would go on further and say that even historians who interpret archaeological evidence are humans. Sometimes their findings are based on assumptions, sometimes their judgements are prone to error and sometimes their biases (political or personal) get the best of them. People take their words as the absolute truth.

When things are so vague then why do some people cling to history or to ethnic identity? Is that even necessary? Why don't just let go of the past and look into the future? History can not bring solace. Acknowledging it is important because it defines who we are but being adamant about knowing the truth can be harmful. The past can disrupt harmony in the present.

One can always argue that the ripples of the past affect the present and the future. Take the case of the caste system in India. Due to acceptance of the historical unjust to one section of the society, an attempt to mend the folly was made. Its success, however, remains ambiguous and is a subject of another debate. The acceptance was there because there was an agreement about the injustice and the lives of many were at stake. Revisiting history was fruitful here. Another case in point is Germany’s acceptance of the colonial wrongdoings and an official apology to Namibia.  Albeit, these are exceptions and not a rule. Not all history is simple to decipher. Not all wrongs can be undone. Not all history is known. Amidst such uncertainty, awakening the ghost of the past can hurt many without bearing any result apart from uncalled pseudo-satisfaction. The dangers that lurk from the knowledge of history are confounded in the form of extremism and other forms of radical expression. This alongside intolerance is the recipe for disaster.