About the Blog

My blog post are of varied topics ranging from personal experiences, travel, wild life photographs, interesting news, of happenings around the world that catches my fancy. In other words i write about anything when i am in a mood to write

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Freedom of Speech in India – a Myth or a Reality

Article 19(1)A of the Indian constitution guarantee freedom speech to Indian citizen but then Three arrests in the last one month in India for voicing one’s thoughts in media against persons in power make one ponder if the freedom of speech is limited to privileged few in the Indian society…moneyed or in power people only. A common man’s freedom of speech or expression is subjective and is rarely a reality in India. I know I would have many critics against this post but then the examples that have been widely publicized in the media and the press does indicate what I say.
Image Courtsey : Google
The latest incident that happened yesterday in Mumbai is creating a furor across all sections of the population. Two girls had been arrested in Mumbai one for putting up a comment about shutdown of entire city on account of Balasaheb Thackeray’s funeral on the Social media network Facebook and the other for liking the comment based on a complaint file by a local Sena leader. Further a clinic of an uncle of the girl was attacked and ransacked by over 40 angry Sena activists because of the comment on FB. The girls were released on bail within hours after furnishing personal bonds but then the hasty action by the police in this matter to arrest the two girls under section 505(2) (statement creating or promoting enmity, hatred or ill will between classes) clearly indicates the kind of clout men in power have.
The chief of Press Council of India has objected to the actions taken by the police and urged the Chief Minister to immediate action against the police official who arrested the two girls on urging of a local Sena leader. As usual this incident will die it natural death in couple of days but the two person who had been affected by this will carry the scare for a very long time. Steps need to taken by the authorities to ensure that all Indians have their freedom of speech as per the Indian constitution .
One of my friend casually stated that Gandhiji's three monkey theory needs to be changed to suit the present day India
Hear no bad ----Hear nothing told by men of power
See no bad -----See nothing done by men of power
Speak no bad----Speak nothing about men of power
Come to think of it,this is what now is happening in India these days.

 Sad !!!!!

6 comments:

  1. The name was not even mentioned in the update.

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    1. Thank you Harish for your comment...btw what did you mean???

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  2. Well said sir !
    4th monkey exclusive for us - POST no evil and post no good !

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    1. Wow yeah...did not strike me of the 4th monkey !! Thanks D

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  3. Very true - but am really impressed with these 2 girls! They had the courage and guts to say what most of India was probably thinking and kudos to them for that. But it's a pity that even those who was encouraged by these 2 will fear speaking their minds in the future....Democracy exists only on paper! If you ask me we should be doing way with all these independent political outfits who think that they have the rights to run this country as if it were their homes! They only drag us 100 steps back when we have actually progresses 10 steps forward! Sad...

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    1. Yeah you are correct in summarizing the situation correct. My father who is aged 85 keeps telling that only a dictator with harsher penalties can change the attitude of the public in India...it would bring about a fear to comply with rules in turn become a better society. Thanks for passing by.

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