“A prerequisite to empathy is simply paying attention to the person in pain.”
—Daniel Goleman
However, it’s not just one person in pain, is it? It’s all of us. Some have already felt it, some are currently feeling it, and the rest are yet to feel it. But the feeling is omnipresent in not just our nation but all over the world. Pain may differ in form, but the need to be seen, heard and treated with dignity remains the same.
When we stop seeing others as equally human, the consequences become impossible to ignore. Every single selfish action, crime or nonchalance I can think of has its root in a lack of empathy: something as brainless as littering or something as horrifying as rape/sexual assault, religious imposition, snatching of basic human rights because the other person’s ideologies differ from your own, not caring about anyone but yourself, the root cause of all of these is lack of empathy.
When one loses empathy, they lose humanity. Humanity is not measured by power, ideology or identity, but by how we treat those who are vulnerable.
On 18th July 2026, students got beaten up by the cops for conducting a peaceful protest. If that doesn’t bother you, you are part of the problem. If you are still stuck on the political scenario that ended 15-20 years ago, you are part of the problem. If you call yourself apolitical but you’re just privileged enough to be able to ignore this, you are part of the problem. If you use religion to condescend others and exude a superiority complex, you are part of the problem. This is nothing more than a simple lack of empathy.
I would like to extend my sincere apologies to the peaceful protestors and all those who are in pain right now. I’m sorry that putting this into words is the only thing I can do at this point. I’m sorry I can’t do anything more.
I love my country enough to want it to be better than this and to have actual, real democracy. I want it to become the symbol of harmony. Patriotism should never mean accepting injustice. It should mean wanting your country to live up to the ideals it promises.
Safe to say I’m devastated and beyond heartbroken. I know wishing and hoping things will be better won’t ever be enough but as I said, I’m helpless and I apologise for that too.
I hope we find our empathy before we lose even more of our humanity.
Sincerely,
An exhausted Indian
The Mindful Storyteller 
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