The importance of fair judgement

A few decades ago, I had a heart-wrenching experience of asking a very trusted supervisor to resign. Orders of high command. An inquiry committee was formed to justify the decision taken because it was suspected that he initiated the formation of a union. Justice appears to have been dispensed, no doubt. But the fact remains, the decision was already made to remove him much before the formalities. We eventually learnt we were wrong, and our doubts were baseless. Even if true, what’s wrong?

We sit in judgement on others first and then find reasons to justify the same. In the American judiciary, the jury selection process is very elaborate. The prospective juror has to establish that he or she has not formed any opinions about the defendant’s alleged guilt or the petitioners’ claims. Better still, they do not know anything about the case. Recently, in a religious bhajan, a young couple walked in and sat on the front seats, much to the annoyance of others. Though they looked out of place, the man asked at the end of the session a very knowledgeable and probing question of the priest, totally defying his outward incongruous appearance, which masked his deep conviction and belief systems. Again, do not judge with frugal evidence.

Look at the other scenario, where a person has been judged wrong for social and political reasons, but several continue to praise him. Rudyard Kipling, the famous British author and poet, was indeed a supporter of Major General Reginald Dyer, the “Butcher of Amritsar”. Kipling was a strong advocate for British colonial rule in India and saw Dyer’s actions as necessary to maintain order and discipline in the face of growing Indian nationalism.

According to historical records, Kipling contributed to a benefit fund for Dyer, which was established to support the general after he was censured by the British government for his role in the Amritsar massacre.

It is worth noting that Kipling’s views on Dyer and the Amritsar massacre were not universally shared, even among his contemporaries. Many Britons, including politicians and intellectuals, criticised Dyer’s actions and saw them as a grave mistake.

Scriptures across the world say, ‘Do not sit in judgement on others’ on a personal basis. But then when justice is essential, what is the guideline? The mind and mind alone, perhaps, with the only exception being a mother towards her children, arguably.