US-Iraq Conflict and Global Intellectual Community-Some Unasked Questions

Intellectual Community Some Unasked Questions Daya Krishna THE almost complete silence of 'intellectuals' all lover the world regarding the US behaviour in its conflict with Iraq is a cause for grave concern as they are supposed to be the 'conscience keepers' of the world and vigilant critics of those who are in power. The 'brahmanical function of the intellectual class vis-a-vis those who exercise the ruling function in any society or polity is one of the crucial factors in restraining those who rule from departing too much from the path of 'dharma' or righteousness. It is true that those who have wealth or power seldom listen to those who talk of rightful conduct either in the context of seeking wealth or power. Yet, however ineffectual, the function has to be exercised at least by those who have themselves not become 'instruments' of whoever controls the centres of wealth and power.