Essay: Truth Knows No Color

“Truth is one; it does not change according to perception, preference, or prejudice.”
The statement “Truth Knows No Color” highlights the universality of truth. It is beyond race, caste, religion, gender, ideology, or any other human-made divisions. Truth cannot be confined to black or white, East or West, rich or poor—it simply is. While societies may attempt to distort it, truth remains unaffected by subjective biases.

In the UPSC context, this phrase carries deep philosophical, ethical, and practical relevance. Administrators, policymakers, and citizens alike must understand that justice and fairness are grounded in the idea that truth is impartial.

Understanding the Phrase

1. Philosophical Perspective:
   Truth transcends human limitations. Philosophers like Plato, Gandhi, and Kant believed that truth is absolute, eternal, and universal. It does not bend to social constructs such as race or class.
2. Moral Dimension:
   Truth is a guiding moral force. Lies are often born out of selfish motives, but truth stands tall irrespective of who speaks it. Whether voiced by a child, a revolutionary, or a marginalized person, its value remains the same.
3. Social and Political Dimension:
   In societies divided by race, caste, gender, or religion, truth challenges discriminatory narratives. The abolition of slavery, India’s independence movement, and the civil rights struggle in the USA were all driven by the recognition that truth cannot be monopolized by any one group.

Historical Illustrations

1. Mahatma Gandhi and Satyagraha:
   Gandhi believed in “Satya (truth) and Ahimsa (non-violence).” For him, truth was colorless—equally applicable to oppressor and oppressed. His non-violent struggle against British rule was rooted in the idea that truth cannot be confined to imperial power.
2. Abraham Lincoln and Slavery:
   The U.S. Civil War demonstrated that truth cannot justify racial superiority. Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation was founded on the idea that slavery was morally wrong, irrespective of race or color.
3. Civil Rights Movement in America:
   Martin Luther King Jr. proclaimed, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” The truth that all men and women are equal could not be silenced by racial discrimination.
4. India’s Constitution:
   The framers of the Indian Constitution recognized truth’s neutrality by enshrining Equality before Law (Article 14) and Abolition of Untouchability (Article 17). These principles underline that truth of human dignity knows no caste or color.

Relevance in Contemporary Times

1. In Governance and Policy:
   An administrator cannot discriminate based on religion, caste, or political affiliation. Truth in governance means acting objectively, with fairness and accountability.
2. In Science and Technology:
   Truth in science does not depend on the researcher’s identity. The laws of physics apply equally to all, proving that truth is universal and independent of social divisions.
3. In Media and Information Age:
   Today, fake news, misinformation, and propaganda often distort reality. Yet, truth remains unaffected. For a civil servant, the challenge lies in filtering facts from opinions and ensuring that governance is based on verified truth.
4. In Global Affairs:
   Climate change is a universal truth. It does not differentiate between nations—rich or poor, developed or developing. Cooperation across borders is necessary because truth in this matter is colorless and affects all humanity.

Ethical Dimensions

1. Justice and Fairness:
   Courts uphold truth through evidence, not identity. Justice, in its purest form, reflects the principle that truth has no color.
2. Integrity in Public Life:
   A civil servant must embody honesty. Truth in administration requires transparency, impartiality, and integrity—values that cannot be influenced by favoritism.
3. Universal Morality:
   Ethical thinkers like Immanuel Kant emphasized categorical imperatives—moral laws that apply universally. Truth must be upheld regardless of circumstances or who benefits from it.

Counterarguments and Complexities

One may argue that truth is relative—that different cultures interpret it differently. For example:

• In philosophy, Relativists claim that truth depends on perspective.
• In politics, “truth” is often manipulated to serve power.

However, even within relativism, the ultimate reality of fairness, justice, and human dignity remains non-negotiable. Relativity may exist in perception, but not in fundamental truths like human rights or equality.

Lessons for UPSC Aspirants and Future Administrators

1. Impartiality in Decision-Making:
   Truthful governance requires neutrality. A civil servant must avoid bias in implementing schemes, delivering justice, or responding to grievances.
2. Courage to Speak the Truth:
   Bureaucrats often face political pressure. Yet, as Sardar Patel emphasized, integrity and truthfulness must be the steel frame of administration.
3. Truth as a Unifying Force:
   In a diverse society like India, recognizing truth beyond divisions fosters social harmony and national integration.

Quotes to Enrich the Essay

• “Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t going away.” – Elvis Presley
• “Satyameva Jayate” (Truth alone triumphs) – Mundaka Upanishad
• “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
• “Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.” – Buddha

The phrase “Truth Knows No Color” is both timeless and relevant. Truth is beyond prejudice, beyond artificial boundaries of race, caste, or ideology. It is impartial, universal, and eternal. For a civil servant, recognizing this principle ensures just governance. For humanity, it serves as a moral compass guiding us toward fairness, equality, and harmony.

As the Indian national motto declares—“Satyameva Jayate”—truth alone triumphs, and in its triumph lies the progress of mankind.