When even relatively privileged members
of society like comedians and the significant event-management industry that
supports them, can be held to ransom by fringe groups, it is a sign that the
state has failed to govern and law and order has got out of hand. The right to
freedom of expression is a universal human right – all nations and states need
to ensure it. It is non negotiable.
– Tahir Noronha, Architectural
Designer, Panjim
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With the extremists on the steering wheel of India, we are touching a
new rock bottom every day. Freedom of speech has been long under threat – be it
during Emergency or India after 2014. The thing with wild fire is – it doesn’t
differentiate whose house it burns when it spreads. It’s now burning houses of
upper caste Hindus, so we are all suddenly opening our eyes to it and feeling
attacked. We’ve been under attack since a while.
– Shruti Chaturvedi, Media Entrepreneur, Panjim
We get serious about jokes and comedians and take serious matters
lightly in this country. Freedom of speech is fast becoming a thing of the past,
we are seeing that with the open threats to journalists, actors, artists on a
daily basis.
– Aadore Mukherjee, Casting Director, Bambolim
Liberal democracy has been under question since the past few years, with
a constant attack on creativity. The freedom of speech we were brought up with
and are used to, are being questioned right now by all of us. There’s a looming
pressure, and borderline fear, towards staying within acceptable sentiments to
avoid a backlash. Whether you’re sharing something on social media or releasing
an ad campaign or now, even enjoying stand up comedy, there’s a level of filter
expected to avoid any problems. Living with such restrictions is not what we’ve
been brought up with in India, or are willing to accept as Indians. Everyone
needs to accept some light humour, allow creative liberty and allow an opinion,
as is.
– Zafar Rais, Digital
Marketer, Aldona
Freedom of speech has always been under threat under various governments
& their supporters, (only difference is that in the past social media was
not such an amplifier, and trolls didn’t exist, and people could not hide
behind online anonymous identities) be it Bengal asking Taslima Nasreen to
leave, or Congress banning a Salman Rushdie book, or any film/book on the
Gandhi family that they didn’t approve if. And now the current government is
also infringing upon it. The sad part is a lot of the people that cheered when
these things happened in the past, are now feeling the repercussions, so this
selective freedom of speech that they support, I for one do not believe in. I
believe all should have freedom of speech and all should be equally defended.
– Nupura Hautamaki, Marketing & Events Consultant, Guirim
India is a large democratic country, wherein people exercise freedom of
speech. In a democratic setup such an incident of ban and threats is to be
criticized and should never occur.
– Dr Annie Gomes, Academic, Mapusa
Politicians have skins coated with steel and palms coated with grease if
you know what I mean. Once they are in power they become the law. And the
by-law is ‘don’t be funny, just show me the money’.
– Colin D Cruz, Musician,
Sangolda
We all know about the recent incident that happened with Munawar
Faruqui. Like all other rights in India even “Freedom of Speech” comes with
responsibilities. The consequences for not being responsible for what is said
varies, depending on where you live but no country allows you to say whatever
you want, whenever and wherever you want. Advertisements, newspapers and TV for
example have strict laws and guidelines about what they can say without being
libelous or indecent or inciteful. There are also requirements for truthfulness
or balance. More recently there have been concerns about bullying, trolling and
propaganda online. We also have social norms that prevent us from saying what
we think, or moderating our speech so as to not be rude or disrespectful to
those we are talking to or about. But generally, we have the freedom to say
what we like & so even to poke fun at politicians is okay as long as we
take responsibility for what we say.
– Mayanka Harlankar, Pharma Officer/ Photographer
In my opinion, politicians are using their authority to stop stupid
things like this when there is so much more that needs their attention. I agree
that freedom of speech is already curtailed because everyone and anyone is
afraid to speak about politics. Our privacy is also under threat as the Govt
can see people talk about politics on social platforms even if it is private.
– Shimron Nathan, Student, Porvorim
