The Power and Necessity of Protest: A Historical Perspective on Safeguarding Identity and Culture


Is protesting such a bad term? In both democratic and autocratic societies, protests will always exist. Throughout history, humans have protested to protect their survival and their way of life. From ancient times, when humans defended themselves against animals, to the era of civilization when societies resisted intruders, protests have been a constant.

When majorities defeated the protesters, encroachments happened. For instance, when the Mughals invaded the Indian subcontinent, regional rulers resisted their entry. Sometimes they won, and sometimes they lost, leading to Mughal rule in certain areas. Similarly, when the British looted resources and began ruling India, we protested and eventually won our freedom.

Throughout history, invasions have targeted land, resources, religion, and language. These invasions have led to both successes and failures. The merging of languages often resulted from such invasions. To protect one's ethnicity, religion, or language, one has to protest. Failure to do so can lead to the loss of these cultural identities.

Post-independence, the people of Kanyakumari district protested against merging with Kerala when the state reorganization bill was passed. Despite many casualties and losses, they persisted until they achieved success. As a result, they are now part of Tamil Nadu, preserving their language and identity. If they had merged with Kerala, future generations might have spoken Malayalam, leading to a change in ethnicity and minority status in the region.

This scenario is true for many cases. While learning additional languages can be beneficial, there is no guarantee that the new language won't eventually overshadow the local one. Numerous examples in India show how dominant languages have suppressed local ones.

In management, the SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) helps in decision-making. We must see the broader spectrum before making any choices. In the 21st century, we might ask why learning one more language would harm another. However, the fear of migrant entry is prevalent worldwide, leading to protests and legal enactments.

Protests will always exist to safeguard ethnicity, culture, language, and religion. Democratic countries should embrace pluralism so that even autocratic nations can learn from them. If democratic nations don't accept these principles, what can we expect from autocratic ones?

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