Accommodate all views

The call of the business magnates for a consensus between the government and the opposition with a view to resolving inter alia the North and East conflict, has seen a mixed reaction. It has provoked a debate. Certain sections of society have chosen to frown upon the business community as having an ulterior motive in the whole exercise while others have welcomed it as a propitious move long overdue. For them the private sector being the engine of growth that it is said to be should not be lagging behind politicians, but take the lead and be on par with policymakers.

The novel move is suggestive of an effort that the private sector is making to forge a new partnership or a new contract with the government. And it wants the opposition, the alternative party too to be party to that. The response of the opposition, however, is not so favourable.

Meanwhile the National Movement against Terrorism, has poured choler on the business tycoons and viewed the call as a betise. Throwing barbs at the business community, it has stressed nothing should be done at the expense of a total focus on the war effort, which alone, it says is the solution to the problem of terrorism. While urging them not to 'play into the hands of the LTTE", it has suggested that 10 per cent of the turnover of these companies be channelled to the National Defence Fund (NDF) to finance the war.

One, however, should not be blind to reality. A crucially important role is played by the business community in every land where there operates a free and open market system. This is true of faraway countries like the US, Japan and Germany or our immediate neighbour, India where industrial giants have a say in every matter of national interest. They are a force to reckon with and disastrous are the consequences that a political regime faces if it ignores their advice.

In the UK for example, the Confederation of British Industry is almost on par with the government, so is the Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in India.

A capitalist, as we argued the other day, is not a Good Samaritan. Altruism is not the driving force behind him. He yearns like anyone else for wealth and tries his best to maximise profit. In a world driven by lure of filthy lucre, is it fair to expect benevolence only from the businessman? And isnÕt he too a member of society who feels for it and hope for its well being?

The business community cannot be immune to the problems that ail society. It is not fair to bar them from entering the public discourse or making an effort to have their views heard by powers that be? To an independent observer they too have a legitimate right to articulate their views and make a contribution to the forming of public opinion. But whether there will be takers for their views depends on their credibility. The harsh truth is that many are not well disposed to the business fraternity in this country. They are looked upon as belonging to an exclusive club that does nothing but exploit the people and back their representatives of the two main political parties so that whichever party is voted to power, the club members will secure a win.

Therefore, the feeling the public is left with after every election is, ÒWe have lost and they have won." The organisations breathing fire at the organisers of the All Party Conference also derive strength from the public and could be giving expression to what the people think of the matter. Their views should also be respected.

They all are articulating views of different sections of the same society that we are living in. This both the organisers of the Conference, which was to be held yesterday, and those who are opposed to it have to take note of. It would perhaps be a good idea for these groups to sit round a table while the conference is on and discuss among themselves the matters that they have expressed in the media. This will be the best way to judge what the business community really has in mind and to push for what the others expect of the business community, for example more contributions to the NDF. The business community too can use this opportunity to dispel doubts and allay fears that others may have of them.

Above all, sobriety must prevail. More battles in the south have to be avoided by all means in the name of those who really combat terrorism in the north.