I have been listening to all these arguments against the late Kamala Surayyah (Madhavikkutti) sent forth from some of my sanghie friends. They are maligning her in every way just because she chose to convert to islam and her funeral was according to islam qabar ceremonies. Based on that, they are maligning her literary works too. Add to that, the renewed cries of protest against the movie “Angels and Demons” that our friend Nomad was kind enough to review. These are all the worst symptoms of intolerance and hate. There is this concept of a universal freedom of expression as a basic human right. It should be allowed. However, there have been assaults on the freedom of speech from every religion.
1. Jews – Yes , the backlash against the Passion of Christ.
It was just a movie portrayal true to what the bible says. By their reasoning, bible should be banned because it may create anger against Jews. Just because they had never read bible, they thought what was shown in POC movie was an exaggeration to insult and hurt Jews. Pathetic.
2. Muslims – The uproar over Danish Cartoons
It was a stupid cartoon. The cartoonist has all the rights to draw whatever he wants. It is not like he was targeting muslims alone or something. It is very common to use Jesus and all in cartoons all the time. Again, if you are stupid enough not to understand the cartoon, shut up. It was done in Denmark, where freedom of speech is valued.
3. Hindus – MF Hussain Controversy
It was caused by morons who have no idea about art. If you look at the history of art in various countries, there is nothing new with his paintings. Instead of celebrating a world renowned artist who is the son of India, they chose to attack him, which caused a serious threat to the long time history and heritage of India being a tolerant and a culturally rich nation.
4. Christians – Davinci Code and now Angels and Demons.
For heavens sake, this is just a fictional story. If the strength, traditions and teachings of church is so frail that it would be washed away by a stupid movie, the Church is in big trouble. For me, I would go and watch the movie, but still I know how to take it as a good fictional story and it will never change my beliefs. It is much stronger that that.
India, as a free nation should never ban any of the above things. If you do not like it , do not watch/read/enjoy it. But leave the rights of others to do that alone. That tolerance would only do good for the rich heritage of India. The intolerance for even the slightest perceived threat to somebody would only end up in a Fascist or Authoritarian society where all such freedoms are banned and people would have to even think only what Government wants to think.
Let freedom flourish.
In case of MF Hussain,i differ.A few years ago he directed a film,i forgot the name,but it was his second film.He used versus from quran directly in some scenes.As usual some organizations protested and he apologised and removed those scenes from that film.No talks about freedom of expression…not from Hussain and not from any other “rights” activists…
I am not justifying hindutva activists..but this guy Hussain has double standards….
Comment by Dhanesh — June 4, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
Talking about double standards.. I think MF Hussain can never be compared to our politicians.
Comment by Kenney Jacob — June 4, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
A technicality which created a lot of tolerationist heartburn must be mentioned. The CBFC (Censor Board) cleared The Da Vinci Code. However, state governments took the “initiative” to slap additional penalties on it to satisfy that state’s votebanks.
The govts may have gotten brownie points for doing just that. After all, an “insult” has been silenced, right? But what they did was set off a potentially dangerous trend when whiny lowlives can get whatever they want.
This is a particular case. But it shows how controversy is handled:
The offended parties may be PROACTIVE with their greivances (The DVC book has been thoroughly debated, so they can be alert about the movie). The “guardians” give KNEE-JERK reactions when they feel that the issue is sensational enough.
The guardians totally miss the opportunity for the right forum (here the CENTRAL board of film cert).Knee-jerk opinions can only be enforced by knee-jerk actions. So they abuse whatever power they hold. Hence state govts over-ride a CENTRAL body which is capable of taking INFORMED decisions. Broken underground pipes which threaten nearby constructions and spew water like a geyser BE DAMNED.
3. The party which benifits from the decision are happy instead of furious at having their issues HIJACKED. They lose sympathy. In future, only the “dark” methods will ever work.
Comment by jesvin — June 4, 2009 @ 7:35 pm
Couldn’t agree with you more Jesvin. Well put.
Comment by Domestic Avalanche — June 4, 2009 @ 10:04 pm
If this type of intolerant attitude crept in to world of science
what will be the result?
No single invention will be possible.No scientist was expelled or banned by the scientific societies for proving what their respected predecessors said or invented was wrong.
Tolerance is the bench mark of Civilization.
Comment by shonith pottekkat — June 8, 2009 @ 9:55 am