Do we know our neighbours?

I was quite disturbed this morning after reading an article in the Sun by Maria J. Dass - 'When herd mentality ruled the day'. What disturbed me was the last 2 paragraphs in her article.

If anything, the encounter has forced some Hindu residents of Section 23 to take a hard look at their neighbours.

One woman said: “We have been close to our neighbours all this while and have looked out for each other, but this incident has shown how our neighbours view us and where we stand.”

Some of the genocides in recent history showed that it was not a invading foreign army that committed these atrocities. The perpetrators were often neighbours and friends whom the victims have known for a long time. This happened in Nazi Germany, Rwanda and Serbia. In fact there is a documentary film, 'My Neighbour, My Killer' that captured what happened in Rwanda.

All it took in most cases were incitement to hate someone from a different race and religion. You will then be slaughtered by ordinary people like your neighbour whom you have known for ages. Somehow this kind of incitement based on race and religion will turn an ordinary person into a monster.

As such, it is extremely dangerous to continue to play this kind of game. We know the ultimate purpose is to topple the Pakatan Govt in Selangor but they don't realize the evil that is being unleashed when inciting hatred against a people group based on race and religion.

Though the decision by the AG to charge all those who took part in the demonstations is to be welcomed, it could take years before the trial will be concluded. At the end of the day, they may be found guilty and just be fined.

We must demand our pound of flesh. But we can only do that through the ballot box. And do that we will and we must.