Tolerance is supreme fundamental value Discuss this statement in context of civil servant

Human society is made up of different kinds of people. They differ in language, religion, caste, culture, gender, economic position, and personal opinions. In such diversity, conflicts are natural. But to live peacefully, people must learn to respect differences. This quality is called tolerance. Tolerance means patience, acceptance, and respect for others even if we disagree with them.

The statement “Tolerance is supreme fundamental value” highlights the importance of tolerance as the foundation of human life, society, democracy, and governance. Without tolerance, there can only be violence, hatred, and destruction. For a civil servant, who works as a bridge between the government and the people, tolerance becomes not just a personal virtue but also a professional necessity. we will understand why tolerance is considered the supreme fundamental value, and how it is important for civil servants in particular.

Meaning of Tolerance

Tolerance does not mean blind acceptance of everything. It means:

Respecting other people’s opinions, even if we disagree.
Understanding that diversity is natural and valuable.
Using patience and calmness instead of anger and violence.
Listening carefully and responding politely.
Managing differences without discrimination.

In simple words, tolerance means “live and let live.”

Why Tolerance is Supreme Fundamental Value

1.Basis of Peaceful Coexistence
No society can survive without peace. If people fight over religion, caste, or ideology, society breaks down. Tolerance helps people live peacefully with differences.

2.Foundation of Democracy
In democracy, citizens enjoy freedom of speech, religion, and lifestyle. Without tolerance, these freedoms become meaningless. Tolerance ensures that majority respects minority and that opposition is valued.

3.Promotes Human Dignity
Every human being has self-respect. Tolerance means respecting the dignity of all people, no matter their background.

4.Encourages Social Harmony
In a country like India, with many castes, religions, and languages, tolerance is the glue that holds society together.

5.Reduces Violence
Intolerance leads to riots, terrorism, and wars. Tolerance reduces hatred and builds cooperation.

6.Moral and Spiritual Value
All great religions and philosophies, whether Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, or Sikhism, have taught tolerance as the highest moral value. Mahatma Gandhi also said: “Intolerance is itself a form of violence.”

Tolerance and Civil Servants

Civil servants are government officials who work for public welfare and implement policies. Their job requires them to deal with people of all backgrounds, interests, and attitudes. Tolerance is especially important for them for the following reasons:

1. Dealing with Diversity

India is a diverse country. A civil servant may have to work with villagers, tribals, minorities, women, industrialists, NGOs, and politicians. Each group has different expectations. Without tolerance, it is impossible to manage these demands fairly.

2. Maintaining Neutrality

A civil servant must remain neutral and impartial. He or she cannot take decisions based on personal bias. Tolerance helps officers respect all communities equally and act without prejudice.

3. Handling Public Grievances

Citizens often approach civil servants with complaints. Sometimes they are angry, emotional, or rude. A tolerant officer listens patiently, calms them, and provides solutions instead of reacting negatively.

4. Conflict Resolution

Civil servants frequently face conflicts—between communities, workers and employers, or citizens and government. Tolerance helps them negotiate, mediate, and find peaceful solutions.

5. Working Under Political Pressure

Politicians may try to influence civil servants for personal or party benefits. A tolerant officer maintains calmness, listens respectfully, but stands firm on rules and ethics.

6. Leadership Quality

A civil servant often leads large teams of employees. Tolerance allows them to understand team members’ views, motivate them, and maintain discipline without harshness.

7. Crisis Management

In natural disasters, riots, or protests, civil servants face high stress. Tolerance gives them emotional strength to remain calm and take wise decisions.

Examples of Tolerance in Civil Services

1.Mahatma Gandhi’s Example for Civil Servants
Though not a civil servant, Gandhi’s life is an example of tolerance. He led the freedom struggle with patience and non-violence. A civil servant can learn to solve problems through dialogue, not force.

2.Handling Communal Riots
During communal violence, a tolerant officer ensures that both communities feel protected. He avoids favoritism and acts fairly. This builds trust in administration.

3.Dealing with Protesters
When farmers or workers protest, an intolerant officer may use force, but a tolerant officer listens to their demands, negotiates, and avoids bloodshed.

4.Policy Implementation
For example, during the Swachh Bharat Mission, officers had to convince villagers to build toilets. Some resisted due to traditions. Tolerant officers used persuasion and education instead of punishment.

Challenges to Tolerance in Civil Services

1.Political Interference – Pressures may test the patience of officers.

2.Public Anger – Citizens sometimes abuse or threaten officers.

3.Cultural and Religious Sensitivity – Misunderstanding may lead to disputes.

4.Work Stress – Heavy workload can reduce patience.

5.Media and Social Media Criticism – Officers often face unfair blame, which requires tolerance.

How Civil Servants Can Develop Tolerance

1.Emotional Intelligence – Learning to control anger, ego, and frustration.

2.Training in Communication – Listening and speaking politely.

3.Ethical Values – Remembering that their duty is to serve all citizens.

4.Learning from History – Remembering how intolerance caused conflicts in the past.

5.Meditation and Stress Management – Helps officers remain calm in crisis.

Tolerance is truly the supreme fundamental value because it protects peace, democracy, and human dignity. For ordinary citizens, tolerance ensures social harmony. For civil servants, it is even more important because their role is to serve diverse people, manage conflicts, and uphold justice.

A tolerant civil servant listens patiently, respects all communities, remains impartial, and solves problems peacefully. Without tolerance, the administration would become oppressive and society would collapse into conflict.

Therefore, tolerance is not just a personal quality but also a professional necessity for civil servants. In the words of the Dalai Lama: “In the practice of tolerance, one’s enemy is the best teacher.” Civil servants must remember this and embody tolerance as their guiding principle in service to the nation.