The familiar fight between freedom of expression and tolerance to dissent is on in full swing across the nation. From cinema to politics to religion to literature to judiciary to law & order to domestic disorders, the landscape is littered with offensive stuff, offended souls, loud voices and super-sensitive ears. So, let me add my byte to the season’s flavour by speaking without fear or favour.
I will begin with movies, TN’s staple side-dish after serials became the real cereal and wherein fans outnumber voters. You are all aware of Vishwaroopam. This was a Sivaji Ganesan-starrer of 1980-vintage. So having enlightened you with this earth-shattering expose, let me plunge right into the centre of the controversy: After what time span does a movie title become available for re-use? Well whatever, but Kamal’s titular imitation is taking longer than that gap because a ‘fundamentally’ strong minority within a minority has taken offence. Many movies, particularly that of this world hero, often run into similar problems. Though I have not seen the film as I am not a HC Judge or a US resident or head of a religious outfit, I am impelled to air my views very clearly: ‘Now ……………………..! Still,
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………?
So, ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..!’. Period. I am sorry if I have caused hurt to anyone. Can’t help it.
Literary fests, instead of being feasts for the heart and head are fast turning into arenas for the play of fists, literally. A sociologist has now landed on the wrong side of political and legal correctness for making some remarks ‘construed’ to be against OBCs, SCs and STs who are now up in arms. I know this is a touchy topic and a judicial minefield too. But as a free thinker myself I cannot help tinkering with trouble. After much thought, my firm, frank and forthright view is this: ‘Is it …………………………………………………………………….?
Is it ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………?
Then, it is ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..!’. You can quote me verbatim, no issues.
Never has the nation’s conscience been so rattled as happened post-the Delhi gangrape. And never has a Government-appointed committee been as quick in making recommendations as the Justice Verma Committee. And yet, never has there been so many judicial reprieves for rapists as during Jan. The latest is the Apex Court’s declaration of the most vicious, virulent and vulgar of the bus-rapist, a juvenile. Though I am a legal layman, this calls for a daring take from me, despite draconian contempt laws. After all, my sensibilities are superior to my sense of law. My verdict is straight and simple and in sync with that of yours: ‘Why should ……………………………………………………………………………………….?
How can ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….?
What is ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..?
In which case, ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..!
Even God ……………………………………………………………………………………………..’.
I had to take some extra ‘space’ because law is no kid-stuff and warrants such elaborate analysis. You will appreciate that I have been more blunt than anchor Arnab.
There are several such sham shows running successfully in the nation’s theatres of the absurd that demand similar no-nonsense statements. Many politicos are on the rampage. To them I say this emphatically sans any fear of retribution:
‘……………………………………’.
That should do. Shah Rukh’s ‘secular’ outburst and the support he has drawn from Pak invites a hard look, even if it offends India’s foes, within and without:
‘………………………………………………………………………! Hope the message got home. On the wilting Padma awards I feel ‘ ….. auction is ……………!’ Ditto of dots on anything that is agitating anybody, be it somebody or a nobody.
Folks, these are trying times in which not only words, but also the existence of one could be deemed offensive by another. Not just in public spaces but even at home one may find it tough to voice a grouse against the spouse. I have shown a sure-fire way to salvage free speech without impairing free hearing. Smart readers, I am certain, can catch the point, connect the dots and fill the blanks.
Remember. The right to remain quiet is absolute. And silence is still legal … and loud!
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