Where Is India Headed as It Loses Its Sense of Decorum? A Thought That Inspires Fear

- अगस्त 04, 2026

Where Is India Headed as It Loses Its Sense of Decorum? A Thought That Inspires Fear

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@ By Gaurav Pandey, Independent Journalist

India is not merely a country defined by geographical boundaries. It is a living civilization that has preserved, for thousands of years, a rich cultural heritage, refined traditions, human values, and ethical principles. The family has always been regarded as a child's first school, while parents, teachers, elders, and society have been considered the foundation of character building.

Through their exemplary conduct and wisdom, saints, sages, philosophers, and social reformers who stood the test of time guided Indian society toward discipline, self-restraint, moral conduct, service, sacrifice, and righteousness. Ideals such as Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam ("The world is one family") and Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah, Sarve Santu Niramayah ("May all be happy, may all be free from illness") emerged from this noble tradition and continue to define India's identity before the world.

When incidents emerge—whether on public platforms or social media—that reflect behavior or attitudes among some young people which appear to disregard social decency and cultural values, they naturally become a matter of concern. Television debates on such incidents often reveal the legal and constitutional limitations in addressing these issues.

The recent events at Jantar Mantar have once again brought this concern into focus. In every democracy, citizens have the right to express their opinions, protest, and disagree. However, freedom of expression also carries the responsibility to exercise restraint and respect. Rights and duties must go hand in hand.

When dissent crosses the boundaries of respectful language or conduct and begins to undermine another person's dignity, society must pause and reflect. This is not about blaming any individual, generation, or social group; rather, it is about understanding changing social realities and seeking constructive solutions. An equally important question is how long we can continue blaming only the police or the government for every social problem while ignoring our own responsibilities.

It is equally true that, compared with India's vast population, such incidents represent only a tiny fraction. Even today, millions of Indian families—especially in rural areas—continue to uphold values such as discipline, respect for elders, family traditions, and social responsibility. Yet in the age of digital communication and social media, even a small incident can quickly reach millions of people, often being exaggerated far beyond its actual significance. Understanding these consequences and developing appropriate legal and social responses has become one of the country's greatest needs.

This is why the impact of isolated incidents often appears far greater than their actual frequency. A decline in editorial judgment within parts of the media, and the near absence of such restraint on many social media platforms, further amplifies this effect. Nevertheless, such incidents should not be ignored entirely, because small social trends, if left unaddressed, can gradually evolve into much larger challenges.

One of today's greatest concerns relates to the attitudes and behavior of Generation Z, which increasingly influence Generation Alpha, while Generation X often finds itself caught in a moral dilemma. Young people are the nation's energy and future. They possess curiosity, creativity, and the desire for change. However, innovation must be balanced with wisdom, self-control, and experience—qualities that are often gained from older generations.

Unfortunately, meaningful family conversations have become less frequent. Joint families are increasingly giving way to nuclear families, and communication between parents and children is often diminishing. Therefore, the responsibility of teaching children the difference between right and wrong cannot be left solely to schools or governments. Character formation begins at home.

Parents should communicate regularly with their children, listen to their concerns, and encourage open conversations without fear or judgment. Many emotional and social problems can begin to be resolved within the family itself. It is not enough to prepare children only for success; they must also learn how to cope with failure, control anger, manage stress, and respect others even in disagreement.

Similarly, moral education in schools should not remain merely a textbook subject. It should be integrated into daily behavior and practical life. Children should be taught love for the nation, responsibility toward society, respect for family, sensitivity toward nature, and the values of humanity. They should also understand that rights are accompanied by duties, and freedom must be balanced by discipline.

Mental health and lifestyle are equally important. Today's children and young adults face increasing pressure from academics, competition, careers, social expectations, and the digital world. Healthy practices such as yoga, pranayama (breathing exercises), physical exercise, meditation, and stress management should become part of everyday life. These practices are not presented as complete treatments for mental illness but as habits that encourage emotional balance, self-discipline, and overall well-being.

Whenever necessary, people should also feel comfortable seeking guidance from medical professionals, experienced spiritual mentors, lifestyle coaches, or other qualified experts. Anger is a simple example. Feeling angry is natural, but decisions made in anger can have lasting consequences for individuals, families, and society. If children learn healthy ways to recognize and regulate their emotions from an early age, many conflicts can be prevented. Likewise, individuals experiencing prolonged stress or depression can often benefit greatly from timely support from family, friends, and trained professionals.

India's moral values are not confined to books; they are reflected in everyday behavior—how we speak to our parents, how we treat those with whom we disagree, the language we use in public, and the content we choose to share on social media. Protecting these values is not solely the responsibility of older generations. Young people, too, must understand that modernity does not require abandoning one's cultural roots or basic decency.

The need today is not to place any generation in the dock but to strengthen dialogue between generations. Older generations should strive to understand the aspirations of young people, while the youth should value the experience and wisdom of their elders. Families, schools, society, and the government must work together to create an environment where independent thinking develops alongside responsible conduct.

India's strength has always rested not only in its diversity but also in its deeply rooted values. If future generations receive modern knowledge together with human values, self-discipline, healthy lifestyles, and a sense of social responsibility, they will be better prepared to face the challenges of a changing world. Values cannot simply be imposed; they must be nurtured from within. The real question, therefore, is whether we are teaching our children merely how to move ahead in life—or how to move ahead in the right direction.

The recent incident at Jantar Mantar, and the attitudes displayed by some young people during it, have raised concerns that certain individuals are attempting to push India away from the cultural ideals of dignity and ethical conduct that have shaped its civilization for centuries. The contributions of India's saints, sages, and social reformers have given the country a unique place in the world.

At the same time, it cannot be said that efforts to preserve these values have completely disappeared. However, when parents, extended families, and socially active citizens become less vigilant or increasingly indifferent, such situations may arise. Although these incidents represent only a very small proportion of India's population, modern communication technologies and social media allow them to spread rapidly and gain disproportionate attention.

This is a serious concern because young people may find it difficult to navigate society without the guidance of mature and experienced generations. Group behavior often differs significantly from individual behavior. While many children are confident and courageous, changes in environment, lifestyle, and dietary habits have also made many more vulnerable to fear and uncertainty, leading them to depend more heavily on their elders.

If deep mistrust develops between younger and older generations, elders may eventually hesitate to extend guidance and support. Such a situation could create social alienation and imbalance. Although the older generation generally possesses deeply rooted values and is unlikely to be easily influenced, the situation nevertheless deserves thoughtful consideration.

Schools, families, and communities should work together to provide moral education, encourage respect for elders, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, cultivate love for the nation, promote yoga, physical exercise, breathing techniques, stress management, and healthy living. For example, anger itself is a natural emotion, but learning techniques to control it can prevent significant harm to both individuals and society.

Likewise, if people suffering from chronic stress or depression adopt healthier lifestyles and learn effective coping techniques, many social problems—including self-harm and violent behavior—may be reduced. Society must reflect deeply on these issues and take meaningful action to ensure that India's philosophical traditions and human values remain strong.

Finally, the author expresses the view that certain ideological and cultural influences from outside India's traditional value system are increasingly shaping the mindset of some sections of Indian youth. The author argues that society should foster an environment that promotes truth, non-violence, self-restraint, and sacrifice over materialism and hostility, believing that these ideals strengthen national unity, social harmony, and peace while discouraging extremism, terrorism, and organized crime.

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