Freedom
of Expression and Law and Order
Protecting freedom of expression and preserving
law and order – both are important, said Supreme Court
during hearing of the case related to
the film Padmaavat, Bans on films violate the freedom of speech and expression
enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. The Supreme Court said the
state cannot plead inability to handle the problem of a hostile audience as
that “would be tantamount to negation of the rule of law and a surrender to
blackmail and intimidation.”
The filmmakers agreed to change its name from
Padmavati to Padmaavat. The new title indicates it is based on a medieval poem
on a legendary Rajput queen and not any historical personality. They
also agreed to several cuts.
Only the courts stand in the way of politicians
who want to please the crowds. It is time common man starts condemning the politician
who is cowed by the crowd. Thank God we have a functional and committed SC that
can take tough decisions. It's horrifying to think what'd happen to all the
freedoms if the SC/HCs restrain themselves. These politicians may as well
completely prostrate in front of caste & religious organizations leaving
common people who want to express, listen etc. completely vulnerable. Karni
Sena’s demands and actions are clearly anti-constitutional.
The constitutional Authorities like CM, his
cabinet ministers take constitutional oath while assuming their office like
mediocre students mugging up lessons to pass exams. Instead, the elected CM
should quote and narrate from history how great headers have protected their
constitutional duties, while in power, and demonstrate how they will also
uphold the rule of law taking contemporary issues burning in the state. Otherwise,
we will continue to put in power such weak leaders with mediocre student
mentality. If they cannot handle a tough situation, they should quit,
Freedom of expression is a tight rope walking. The
governments often succumb to vote bank politics. They curb the freedom of
expression of writers, painters, film makers. This menace pervades cutting
across nations. But it is also true that the intellectuals are not always free
from all kinds of biases. They tinker with the feelings of the people in the
name of creativity for their vested interests. The political parties also want
to misuse their creativity tag for their political gains. Actually so called
intellectuals are so intricately mingled that it often gets difficult to sift
the shaft. The creative urge should be pursued to the extent which can be
substantiated. Otherwise unnecessary hurting of the feelings of the people
should be avoided. Of course it does not mean that the people who are raising a
hue and cry about Padmavati are very admirer of queen Padmavati. Problem is
that they are also playing politics. But, intellectuals must differentiate
between liberty and licence.
Let them screen the movie and let the audience
decide whether the movie needs to rejected or accepted. Films are made for the
general audience and not some particular group, right? Let the democracy take
the front seat in deciding what they want to see and what they want to hear.
Stifling the voices will only make them come out stronger. Because of the
controversy, people who had nothing to do with the movie, will be interested to
watch it now. So, in a way, the protesters have advertised/highlighted the
movie and this will help the producers when it releases. At the same time,
movie makers need to be extra cautious with the subject they are dealing with
while coming up with a script.
ReplyDeleteشركة كشف تسربات المياه بالاحساء
شركة تنظيف منازل بالجبيل
شركة تنظيف منازل بالقصيم