Freedom of expression & Intolerance.
Many writers and film-makers have recently returned awards given to them by the Indian state for their contribution in the field of their expertise to bring to the notice of the public at large and especially the voters in Bihar ( all this happened just before the Bihar election, but it has now stopped). There was a similar campaign on the issue of stoning and stealing from some churches just before the Delhi Assembly election. There seems to be an organized move to stop the Modi government from implementing its development agenda by the Congress and its friends in various fields who share its idea of India and who have benefited during its long regime.
Recently Actor Aamir Khan joined them. He told about his/his wife's fear of living in an intolerant country while addressing an event to recognise contribution of media to the country. While some have said that he has given expression to fears felt by him and others, many others have questioned the timing and purpose of his lament. Recently, Ashoke Pandit, a well-known film personality, wrote in his blog, under the title, Cultural Terrorism : Aamir Khan dividing India in the name of toleration, in the Indian Express ( 24/11/15).
In response, I sent my comments to the newspaper that his film PK which lampooned Hindu gods made good business in spite of opposition from some Hindus, and how can he call the state and the people intolerant. I also mentioned a joke going during the Soviet Union days about the freedom of speech. When an American citizen told a Soviet Citizen that he can go tell his president, 'go to hell'. The Soviet citizen replied, ' I too can tell the American President, ' go to hell'. He was, however, was silent whether he can say this to the Soviet President. Can Aamir Khan make a similar film on any other religious gods ?
This was not published by the newspaper. Who is intolerant ? What about the freedom of expression ?
Then, there was an excellent analysis of the negative attitude of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha by Baijayant 'Jay' Panda, ( Lok Sabha M.P.- BJD) in his article, ' Less check, more balance : Reform must reduce Rajya Sabha's power to block the popular mandate, unparalleled globally' in the Times of India (26/11/15). 'Jay' Panda had mentioned that the House of Lords can delay a legislation passed by the House of Commons by two years now, and it does not have any veto power over the legislation passed by the House of Commons.
In my comments, I said that the reformed Rajya Sabha should have the right to delay a legislation for six months, not for two years. I suggested that the Rajya Sabha should represent the wisdom in the country and it should have two representatives from each state who should be experts in one field or the other - art, literature, music, science, economics, sociology etc. I also said that the Congress is not reconciled to the rule by the Modi government, it does not allow the popular mandate to prevail, and there are more than 400 million people below the poverty line after almost 45 years of the 'garibi hatao' slogan by the Congress.
This comment was also removed by the newspaper. Who is intolerant ? What is the meaning of freedom of expression ?
Nov. 30, 2015
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