In English there is this word Bullying. I think we don't have an exact word for this in Malayalam. The dictionary definition is "A person who habitually seeks to harm or intimidate those whom they perceive as vulnerable". It is something very common in our schools, workplaces, society, public spaces and especially in the cyberspace. At the college level bullying has come to be called in India by an appeasing term "ragging". Bullying involves imposing one's physical, psychological, social or economic strength and establishing authority or supremacy over the apparently weak and making them into serviles. The mindset of a person who exhibits this archaic complex is the exact opposite of the democratic spirit.

The accompanying picture is of a poster posted in the school I visit once a week. The words on the poster that are intended to create awareness among students about bullying, are as follows.

"Bullies don't have to hit to hurt.

People are ALSO bullies if they:

Spread lies or rumors;

Threaten you;

Steal or damage your stuff;

Tease or insult you;

Call you names;

Ignore you;

Pressure you;

Try to change you."

The number of individuals who display this sort of behavior can be considered an indicator of the mental health of a society or the Democratic values that has gone down into it. It doesn't matter that we have been a democratic country for so long. At the very least, equality and freedom should be foundational to a democracy. If we don't have these in our social psyche, there cannot exist a democratic society. Let's begin teaching democratic values. Let's start in the family. Let's ensure that it is taught in our schools.