Does numerical superiority of a particular people give them the right to rule over a disadvantaged minority?
THIS dissertation is in no way an attempt to undermine the numerical superiority of a majority that it enjoys over a minority. What has remained a mathematical myth shall remain so. One hundred homogeneous units shall always be considered more in number than 10 units of a different kind. Numerical deficiency keeps a minority subservient to a majority. A political party that attains majority in a constituent assembly is called upon to govern the country. It is their democratic prerogative that has to be respected. The majority, throughout the world, remains in an advantageous position. They dictate terms. Grab favours. And, at times, trample upon the rights of the minority. The ruling clique conveniently ignores the genuine demands of the minority. In underdeveloped democracies, the majority bulldozes the minority with contempt. However, we will not discuss this phenomenon in a political context. It is not within our purview.
In this short article, we will try to look at the phenomenon of majority and minority from different perspective. Numerical superiority in no way is an assurance that the majority consists of superior elements. Similarly, numerical deficiency doesn’t convey that the minority consists of deficient elements. For the sake of elucidation, let us take a hypothetical example. You are carrying 50 currency notes of one rupee denomination in one pocket of your jacket, and a dollar in another. Numerically speaking, you are carrying more notes in one pocket of your jacket, and just one in the other. The numerical statement is correct. No one can find fault in it. But, when evaluated in terms of value you would say that you were carrying 50 notes of collectively lesser value in one pocket, and comparatively a more valuable single dollar in another. Suddenly, numerical superiority of 50 notes of one rupee denomination appears meaningless against a solitary dollar. The simple example reveals that numerical superiority cannot establish hegemony of a certain majority over an inventive and a productive minority.
There would be no harm if once in a lifetime we mustered up courage, and took a second look at what we were told, and made to believe in it. It would open new vistas for you. The sun neither sets nor rises. It is the earth that revolves round the sun that makes us believe that the sun sets and rises. Whereas, it doesn’t. Numerical supremacy provides a majority with brute domination over a minority how talented and productive it may be. It never occurs to the majority that the minority constitutes of vital life sustaining systems for a society or a country.
Let us take a simple example. Examine your physical appearance. Take stock of the various parts that account for your whole body. As a constituent part hair appears to be in absolute majority in your physique. Then you have 20 fingers in your two hands and two feet. You have two arms, two legs, two ears, two eyes, two kidneys, and two lungs. People have survived without eyes, ears, legs and arms. Some persons have pulled on for years with one lung and one kidney. Among the singular units you have a nose, a mouth, head, and a heart. Go on adding to the list any part of your physique that comes to your mind. As compared to your hair everything else in your physique appears in absolute minority. Would you not care for the constituent parts of your existence that happen to be in minority? Among the singular components you have a heart and a brain. Of what benefit the majority components in your physique would be to you if your heart or the brain stops functioning?
Scientists, philosophers, physicians, and the technocrats do not grow like mushrooms in a country or society. They have always been a few. But, their contribution to the country outweighs the collective contribution of the majority. How many genuine intellectuals, scholars, writers, poets, artists, and sculptors do we have in 150 million population of Pakistan? Negligible. A few, who could be counted on fingers. They are always scanty in each country all over the world. In developed, tolerant, and liberal societies they give vent to their thoughts, creativity, and intellectual pursuits without fear. In developed societies, the majority holds their creative geniuses in highest estimate, and feels proud of them. In underdeveloped societies, intolerant backward majority persecutes writers and poets, thinkers and intellectuals who happen to be in minority.
Before I conclude, let me repeat that in today’s discussion we have not tried to undermine the importance of a majority. It would otherwise amount to negating the cause of democracy that has suffered setbacks at the hands of the dictators in countries like Pakistan. In today’s discussion we have tried to establish that the majority and the minority are inseparable constituent components of a country’s population. The minority should not be segregated merely on the basis of numerical deficiency. Haven’t the Jews, a minority, contributed tremendously to the phenomenal economic growth of the US? Have you ever thought why the Parsis, Christians, and Hindus wound up their businesses from Karachi?
