The world's largest democracy has been famous for many attributes! Freedom of expression, I daresay, is one of d most revered n applauded of those characteristic features! Every now n again, this freedom is taken to new heights n what results, most of d time, is CONTROVERSY! Artistic expression n creative freedom has had staunch criticism 2, not only in India but all across d globe - Be it d banning of Sir Sulman Rushdie's 'THE SATANIC VERSES', 'LAJJA' by Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen or M.F. Hussain's allegedly provocative paintings!
The most recent example is d dropping of Rohinton Mistry's Booker Shortlisted novel 'SUCH A LONG JOURNEY' frm d English Literature syllabus of Bombay (oops Mumbai) University midway through the term owing 2 pressure from d Shiva Sena which claims the book contains objectionable remarks about the party! Banning a book midway through the term has happened for the first time in d 153 year old history of d Mumbai University!This politically driven act has infuriated students n faculty alike leading 2 a fresh round of controversy n protests!
It's rightly said that 'DISSENT IS D VERY ESSENCE OF A DEMOCRACY!' But can a nation having such a rich history of multiplicity of thoughts really afford 2 curtail artistic freedom n bow 2 political pressures! I believe not, bt it seems like that's exactly what's happening! And the self-righteous Sena is using this issue 2 launch their heir - Aditya Thackrey! Blame d Congress 4 dynasty politics but be holier than thou yourself! How convenient!
Also another fresh issue also concerning the freedom of speech n democratic dissent has been d recent speech given by Booker winning author Arundhhati Roy which is raising many an eyebrows throuhghout d political circles - both at d Centre n d States! Ms. Roy's statements regarding Kashmir not being an integral part of India n her sympathies with d plight of d Kashmiri Pandits (n stone pelters) n people fighting for AaZAADI there have been met with great criticism n have raised the question of misuse or exploitative use of the freedom of expression! I opine that what Ms. Roy has said should be considered another viewpoint and her personal opinion 2 which she's fundamentally entitled n 4 which she should, by no means, be bashed! Indeed her remarks have been strong n intense, but isn't that what freedom of expression is all about!
Then again, this is an age-old question with an endless debate:
HOW FAR IS 2 FAR?
HOW MUCH IS 2 MUCH?
I, however, conclude that it's indeed a pity if this nation can't n doesn't respect d opinions of writers n artists! Hope we can be inclusive and at least tolerate, if not respect, different opinions! Otherwise the world's greatest democracy would lose its very soul n get reduced 2 a uni-directional totalitarian regime where gag orders n sedition would be d order of d day! Lest that should happen, let's speak out n listen!
SPEAK OUT, YOUR VOICE WILL B HEARD!
LEAVE BEHIND D FEARS N DON'T DREAD!
THE WORLD MAY BE AGAINST YOU,
YOU MAY STAND ALONE!
BUT DON'T HOLD BACK,
DON'T LET YOURSELF BE TORN!
DISSENT IS D ESSENCE OF A DEMOCRACY!
IF U HOLD BACK UR THOUGHTS, IT'D BE A SIN AS BIG AS HYPOCRISY!
SPEAK OUT, YOUR VOICE WILL BE HEARD,
SPEAK OUT, EVEN IF OTHERS THINK IT'S ABSURD!
BUT ALSO LISTEN TO WHAT OTHERS HAVE 2 SAY,
N REMEMBER,
FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION CAN'T BE HELD AT BAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i am totally speechless after reading this....rightly pointed out the flaws in the indian democratic system as far as freedom of speech is concerned and an amazing analysis of how it is important to let the opnions be heard....havent read abt arundhati roy's case yet so really cant put forward my opnions but will and 4 sure come back nd pen down few words...
ReplyDeletefor this one i appreciate you madam for your amazing thinking...
Thx a lot, Rids! This is an issue tht has bn coming up again n again n more so recently!
ReplyDeleteN I really felt like penning down my thoughts n opinions!
Thx a tonne 4 d feedback, my frnd!
Really appreciate it!
Waiting 4 ur take on it soon!
Very well said, Mo! I can't understand why so many people are narrow-minded! It's not only in India that artistic writers are forced to suppress their viewpoints. So many talented and intellectual writers are being judged and condemned for their writings! It's such a shame and a pity that Freedom of speech isn't considered a "freedom" anymore! Artists should be allowed to express their thoughts in writing or in any way they choose-as long as it doesn't step on somebody else's character- no matter how seemingly absurd they sound! Just because a thought provoking idea sounds quite bizarre doesn't mean that it's not worth listening to.
ReplyDeleteI agree, An! It's d very basic definition of free speech, that unless your words directly n explicitly harm someone, u can't b charged with sedition or any kind of contempt! IIt's indeed deplorable that many civilized societies condemn free artistic n intellectual opinions n views n brandish thm as sacriligeous n seditious!
ReplyDeleteMs. Roy is one of d finest intellects in r country n the criticism her comments have landed represents d sheer narrow - minded n blocked mindsets of a society which pretends 2 b tolerant n inclusive. but in reality is far away from any of these!
Hi Mohita this is Mohan commenting on your topic.It is a good and interesting topic.It is all about how much is too much.We are the largest democracy in the world having a lot of diverse cultures,castes,creeds,religions,languages etc.You have already touched on harmony in secular India in another topic.Now in India especially in north and west where religious passions are sometimes extreme,it sometimes pays to be prudent on what to say or not to say especially if you are a leader or a celebrity with huge following.Maintaining communal harmony is a tough job in India.Sometimes some things are best left unspoken.That is the price celebrities have to pay for being a celebrity.You should not use your status to inflame religious passions especially in strife torn areas.Kashmir issue has always been a sore point between India and Pakistan and nothing good can come on making such remarks by a celebrity except perhaps some more bloodshed which will only become breaking news for tv channels.Freedom of press and speech is good as long as it doesnt inflame religious passions and sentiments.Some restraint is always better than regretting later.After all what we need is a secular India living in complete harmony
ReplyDeleteWEll Firstly thanks a lot 4 d feedback sir! It's most appreciated n welcome!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAs u said tht politicians n celebrities shd nt use their status n socio-political position 2 inflame n arouse religious or geographic sentiments, still does it nt happen all d time????????
Indeed it does! Thn why do d judiciary n d media judge one with a lenient pat n d other with a stern retribution! It's d bigotry tht's so despicable!
If a political leader gives provocative statements n speeches now n again, they're let off d hook easily whereas if a creative personality n social activist does so, it's considered blasphemous n anti-national n inflammatory!!!!!!!! Of course restraint is nedded, bt like I said Dissent is d very essence of a democracy n restraint can b relative nt absolute!!!!!! So again Hw much restraint is required n hw much is practised, cn we define in magnitude??????
Consider d latest wikileaks case n d treatment Assange hs been made 2 endure! Well most ridiculously, double standards r d order of d hour n shamefully so!
In democratic country we will always witness double standards.Anything in extremes is always bad.Take the case of china where the nobel peace prize winner lives in confinement.Today china is growing at a faster pace than india because it has the system in place,but at the cost of personal freedom.Politicians maybe corrupt to a large extent,but there will also be good ones.But if we want great ideas to come,then politicians should have an retirement age say around 65.
ReplyDeleteWell as far as ur opinion on early retirements in politics n surging of new thoughts n young n innovative (n dynamic) leaders in d polity go, I'm absolutely for tht!
ReplyDeleten yeah it pains me 2 see hw a Nobel Laureate is in prison n cdn't even receive d honour in person, I daresay, it's 2 high aprice bt alas development get s linked in, which it shdn't!