Close on the heels of the cancellation of the award to M F Hussain, Taslima Nasreen will be leaving India.
Now, I must admit that I have not read her book, but if there is one thing I have learned from my stay here in the states, it is the importance of free speech. Sure, one might disagree with what someone says, but that should not mean violent response.
I wonder why we do not have laws in India against harassment, which can put these violent protesters behind bars. Or maybe someone should file a PIL to remove the term "secular" from the preamble.
Ah well, I will now stop my rant, and let my fundamentalist brothers and sisters rejoice in yet another "success" of theirs.
-A
P.S. Taslimaji, please leave the country for a better place. There is no point living in a place where the govt cannot give you the feeling of safety. Hopefully this, in addition to the Sania Mirza not playing in Bangalore incident, will open some eyes.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
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It seems people have too much time on their hands to create controversy. Take Sania for example, one of her biggest identities in the world is that she comes from India, why would she be disrespectful to the flag then?
ReplyDeleteI agree that freedom of speech is a must for a progressive society.
The problem is that the fundamentalist angle is given importance out of proportion. I'm sure that the majority is still quite moderate.
ReplyDeleteThe Supreme Court has correctly asked the government recently to protect the freedom of expression and crush such over-sensitive violence with an iron-hand! http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/15/stories/2008031561011400.htm
Hail the Constitution!! :)
agree with abheeshta, ppl have a lot of time .. and that's what folks like MFH also like to take benefit of .. by trying to create something controversial .. and be in the pg3 news.
ReplyDeleteHe can do what he wants, but I too think if he wants to be known/revered/felicitated, it'll be more deserving if he respects others' faith/beliefs.
And re the freedom of speech in US .. well .. you might be allowed to say what you want, but just look at how dirt is pulled out from all corners for anyone who's thinking of the presidential seat for example. So, US too takes careless and uncouth acts done at whatever age/time darn seriously .. and doesn't felicitate or gives them a place of honor or power or respect .. so why MFH be felicitated if he's done something uncaring/insensitive for a faith so predominant in his country (which he doesn't follow or believe in)?
He's painted it all already and must've got big moolah for it, that's over .. no one stopped him there right ? .. but felicitation/honoring ? ... that I guess deserves more ..
all are my personal thoughts, anyone can definitely beg to differ .. freedom of thought you see .. which I know comes from me being an Indian .. and a Hindu.