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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!