Freedom
of expression at what cost?
25-2-14.
I
have been contemplating whether to write this particular article or not.
Publish and perish. There was an editorial article in Hindu newspaper. Wendy
Doniger’s book: The Hindus, an alternative history was withdrawn by the
publisher due to compliant filed by a small group of Hindu fundamentalists.
According to them Wendy had abused their god and religious sentimental
values. Since she wrote about Hinduism
why should west ban her book? For them her book is freedom of expression. Would
she dare to write about Christianity or Islam? When you write book about
other’s God and religion it is called freedom of expression!
In
a democratic country each one of us got right to oppose or support what we feel
is right or wrong. As a Hindu I know some of our saints are practicing
perverted acts like eating corpse, takes pot or drugs and wired rituals like
scarify small children to ward off evil spirit and much more in the name of God
and religion. Do we write about them? No. Do we try to reform those perverts?
No. only our law can handle them. When a foreigner writes about those flaws in
our religion we do not like it. O.K, Hindus, Christians and Muslims also
practice voodoo/black magic. Where in your holly books you were told to
practice voodoo? Why you religious people are doing things which were not
written in your holly books in the name of God and religion?
If
you are a foreigner and you belongs to other religion first find out what is
wrong with your religion. Let me tell you none of the religion is perfect. Some
of our holly books were written more than five thousand years ago. As the world
progress some of the teaching/lessons became irreverent or impractical for the
present and future generation.
If
you are an editor of national newspaper you are supposed to be the lover of
freedom of expression. Naturally you will voice against religious fundamentalists. I have not read her book review yet but I
went through the extract from her book. As per the fundamentalists Wendy had
portrayed Hindu woman in our ancient period were promiscuous. Nonsense. If
there are woman still preserving their
virginity for their future husband; you will find them in India and third world
countries that says more about their
morality and culture .In the west and Europe sex is either recreational if not
extracurricular activities . you know just two days ago there was a report from
your scientists .they say if you are having multiple partners you have a happy
married life! May be it suits for your western culture.
If
Hindu news paper editor is so found of Wendy’s work he should publish her work
through their newspaper in serial to find out the response from Indians. Have
ever noticed one thing? Anything that
are controversial editors and so called people who claim intellectuals will also
support the work of writer.
Editor
also wrote about international standard or free expression. Do we Indians and
people from third world countries follow western culture? No. then how can you
apply international standard of free expression? Different yard stick for
different folks.
In
democratic countries in the name of freedom of expression finding fault with
other’s God and religion comes naturally. As a responsible writer is not it your
responsibility not to hurt or provoke other’s religious sentimental values?
As
an atheist Wendy’s or any other writer’s book about God, religion or cast will
not affect me. I am mature enough to think beyond God, religion and cast.
Government’s
duty is not to defend or protect not writes who hurt religious sentimental values
of people. It is not first time book was banned in India or any other
democratic countries.
Banned
books in India.
Here the moot
point is should a foreigner find fault or ridicule other’s God and religion in the name of freedom of
expression, when their own people are not playing with God and religion?
Now it is your
turn to debate freedom of expression at what cost?
Atheist –Jivan.
