SOCIETY
Published on opinm. opinionmaster. co. in Dated 1 January 2013
I n recent times we have seen the paranoid reactions of the state administration to assault literary, historian, academic works by banning their publications and distributions. The purpose quoted is preservation of order in society and maintenance of order as also enforcement of law.
The underlying reasons the subversion of the modern Indian potential and promotion of the vested orthodox interests are not so well comprehensible. Adroitly hidden behind curtain of selfrighteous cacophony of the historical objects and speculations. Philosophical speculations are being pushed forward as genuine contributions of larger Indian society while the reality is the speculation is wishful, most of time borrowed, if not stolen from foreign and totally alien sources. The libel and subterfuge and accompanying obduracy is frustrating for open mind, Hence it is advised not to waste time and energy over such nonsense.
The banning of literary works like James leign’ s Shivaji, A K Ramanujan’ s 300 Ramayana, banning of telecast of movie DAM999, Salman Rushdie’ s novel satanic verses, Rohinton mistry’ s Such a long journey dropped by Mumbai university from its syllabus, Rosckstar was forced to blur tibetian flag in a scene, Deshdrohi, Bandit Queen, Da Vinci code, Fire and many more.
The Indian state has assumed itself a role, which on expression and speech is narrowly defined to mean anything that assumes the form- That attempts to question status quo or the role of feudal politicking is viewed with disdain and state’ s censorship is enforced, It’ s unfortunate that a classicist danseuse is placed at the head of the central film censor board. Even a slight opinated depiction is immediately pointed out and the curbs applied, It’ s amazing how the Indian union expects creativity to flourish under such monstrous conditions. The orthodoxy and conservatives, whom we have no dearth of, argue- expression and speech cannot mean to offend some and appease many. In other words even if the writings, creations points out stark reality in Indian society and if that depictions offends a influential group it’ ll have to be subjected to censor. Its’ yet to dawn upon these ridiculously silly group that notwithstanding censorship the banned work have a way of finding their way into the minds of their patrons.
Karan Singh Tyagi writing in The Hindu – A regional Daily on December 2, 2011 explains in his article three main rationales for protection of freedom of speech, which are also reflected in the vision with which our constitution was drafted. …. Self Government rationale which provides that it is indispensable to protect free speech for robust democratic process. Protection of free speech is essential for people to communicate on political matters, which in turn enables them to fully participate in democratic affairs. Identified with work of Alexander Meiklejohn of US Supreme court in Whitney Vs California ……| 2 nd rationale – fashioned on laissez faire in economic realm and conceives that in market place of ideas,