Tuesday 21 April 2015

Selective Freedom of Speech - Hypocrisy of Liberals

These days topics like 'Freedom of Speech & Right to expression' have gripped the national discourse. In the background of Honourable Supreme Court of India striking down section 66A of the IT Act, I would like to raise a few points. That the section was archaic & it curbed the freedom of speech, this point is beyond any doubt or neither is it a point of debate.
But the point is why are we so selective in our understanding of the concept of Freedom of Speech?
Separatists are allowed to make anti-india statements in the name of Freedom of Speech. When adultery is promoted by heroines saying 'Mah Life Mah Rules' then everyone supports it in the name of Freedom of Speech.
But when some fringe elements make obnoxious statements like 'Hindus should have 5 children' OR when someone says 'India is a Hindu Nation' then why do people go berserk in criticising it & demand judicial action?
I do not agree with such statements but then even they've the Freedom of Expression. Yes India is a secular country, but that doesn't mean only liberal left wing intellectuals have the right to expression. The laws are equal & both the sides have equal right to speech & expression. They must realise that freedom of speech & Right to expression are fundamental rights given to every indian citizen by the constitution. It's not the sole proprietary of these so called liberals. They're trying to build up a narrative as if they've sole proprietary over these rights.
We may not agree with someone but we can & we must always agree to disagree. Let's not have a nation where few TV panelists dictate the national discourse in the name of 'Freedom of Speech'. The hypocrisy of left wing liberals needs to be exposed. People must not be swayed away by the so called TV debates.
Indian polity & policies have always been dominated by the leftist thoughts. One of the biggest impediment to our development was the Nehruvian socialism. Be it the Communist party or the Congress they've always been out of sync with the aspirations of the nation. Wearing the mask of socialism, they've divided Indians economically & socially. Be it reservations or subsidies, it's nothing but any attempt to divide the society & engineer electoral victories.
Freedom of Speech is just a small hypocritical facet of these liberals but their hypocrisy transcends every aspect of their thoughts & actions.
People do think over it!!