This editorial is in continuation of the piece that appeared in this column yesterday which received a lot of positive feedback, and an attempt to encourage the common people to express their opinions openly without fear, thereby helping mold public opinion on matters of common interest. Being opinion-less is not because the people of Mokokchung do not have the mental capacity to process opinions but because there are certain constraints that are inhibiting them from expressing their opinions freely. These constraints, either perceived or real, are restraining them from asserting their opinions publicly which is not a sign of a healthy democracy. A principal reason why the people of Mokokchung are not courageous enough to air their personal opinions on issues of public interest openly is because of the ‘herd mentality’ that is embedded in their psyche. Where there is ‘herd mentality’ the individuals are influenced by a larger group. Here, the individual has very little or no room to own his own opinion and his opinions are either influenced or dictated by the larger group. This ‘herd mentality’ deters the individuals from forming his own opinions, let alone expressing them publicly.
Another reason why the people of Mokokchung find it difficult to muster the courage to express their opinions publicly can be attributed to the ‘bandwagon effect’, a psychological phenomenon in which people do something primarily because other people are doing it, regardless of their own opinions or beliefs. The ‘herd mentality’ and the ‘bandwagon effect’ are complementary to each other. In both cases, it is the individual that is subsumed by the group. This can be proven by the fact that the individual tends to seek the group to speak up on his behalf instead of fending for himself by himself. The individual person will go to one or the other organization, association or council to speak up for him because he is conditioned likewise.
That apart, there can be other reasons why the people are not willing to express their views and opinions openly. One of the reasons could be the disadvantaged socio-economic conditions of the people. An individual may have his opinion on an issue of public importance but he is least bothered to take the time out to share it because he is invested in looking for the next opportunity to earn a square meal. Or he may be constrained because he is a government servant. Or, perhaps, his wellbeing is somehow dependent on certain factors (like political affiliation) and it is better for him to remain quiet. Whatever be the reasons, in the final analysis, it all boils down to the fact that a society where its members are unable to or are not enabled to express their opinions on public issues is a depraved society. It is like a man with no conscience.