We live in a Democracy

It is rather sad to see that people are being denied the right to express their views and opinions, whether it is in the form of films, paintings, opinions on air or articles in the papers. It is all the more ironic because India has always been a country, which has been at the forefront of democracy and freedom of rights and expression to its citizens. According to the preamble of the Indian Constitution, India grants its citizens the liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship and equality of status and opportunity, among other things. However, in the light of recent events, this reputation, though not fully dented, has taken a beating.

What about the basic rights given to us by the constitution such as freedom of speech and opinion? I see a very dangerous trend developing right across the country in this regard. I think a few examples, would make everyone understand the situation better.

Many of you would have heard about the Narmada Bachao Andolan (Save Narmada River).One of the most loved and popular actors of the country Mr. Aamir Khan , voiced his opinion on the dam issue and asked the government for first settling the issue of rehabilitation of the displaced people. The next instant, the various groups and political parties, took their daggers out asking him to apologize for his statements. They told that the statement of his was a publicity stunt, while the truth is that he is too popular and too famous to go for such cheap gimmicks. He also replied, on being asked, whether he was interested in politics that “I am an ordinary citizen of India. We have a democracy and I feel I have a right to express my opinion.” Isn’t this, what democracy is all about?

One more instance of such activity in recent times comes to my mind. The movie Parzania was not allowed to release in the same state of Gujarat, which was a witness to the Godhra Train Massacre and the subsequent state sponsored pogrom(though denied by the State Government, but everyone knows the truth.).It was said that the screening of the movie would reopen new wounds and destabilize the state machinery. But people there and indeed the people around the entire world had the right to know the truth from the people who were the real victims in the riots and violence. But no!!! Stamped the state government. (For more details on the Gujarat riots and godhra tragedy please visit the link given at the end of the blog.)

These are just a few incidents, which depict the real and rather sadly, the so-called modern superpower India. Only when the people are allowed to express their heart, we come to know the different perspectives of the same problem. And only when we have a well-rounded view of the problems, we can find a solution, because understanding is the first step to solving the problem. Though people have become too stubborn and intolerant to appreciate the view of others, which in many instances is the real truth.

However, the problem is not just India –specific. The UN Report on human development might celebrate cultural diversity but there is increasing intolerance of cultural symbols across Europe. Activists have launched a campaign to protect the right of Muslim women in Europe to wear Islamic headscarves. The issue of the hijab, the traditional headscarf worn round the head and shoulders, has triggered off controversy across the continent and brought to the fore sharp divisions over integrating Muslims.

There have been many incidents of growing unrest and intolerance among many European countries. In what might seem paradoxical, western countries despite their emphasis on freedom can curb the individual’s freedom to wear a dress that is either a mark of religious identity or a cultural symbol. What one wears is no longer the matter of ones choice, but instead is dictated by the so-called Moral Police. The governments of some of these countries have claimed that they are protecting Muslim women from being forced to wear the hijab. In the name of protection, the people are becoming, more and more, a prisoner of the diktats of the society.


In times like these, I only recall the lines of Mahatma Gandhi, who said

Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote to freedom to err.
It passes my comprehension how human beings, be they ever so experienced and able, can delight in depriving the other human beings of that precious right.

Links
An enquiry on the Gujarat carnage http://www.sabrang.com/tribunal/index.html
Published by the citizens for justice and peace
Violence in Gujarat http://www.pucl.org/Topics/Religion-communalism/2002/gujarat-nhrc-submission.htm
Parzania – the movie http://in.rediff.com/movies/2005/dec/16par.htm
Parzania not being screened
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Parzania_not_screened_in_Gujarat/articleshow/1465049.cms
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1912586,000600030005.htm
Gujarat riots http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_Gujarat_violence