How much indiscipline, anarchy, irreverence, etc., are necessary for a healthy democracy and at what point should it stop? The Indian Constitution places limitations on free speech, as it does on actions that endanger communal harmony. For hundreds of years, there have been social compacts that have prevented people from murdering each other – there are so many taboos in existence. With the passage of time, people, politics and communications technology have evolved to the point that almost anything goes. And, despite all that, people not only continue to offend, take offence, protest, and take ‘direct action’, on these issues.
Even those who seek some kind of absolute right to free speech become most agitated when faced with ‘politically incorrect’ statements on issues like gender, race, caste, religion, etc. Those who oppose censorship of films descend like hornets on those failing to tow the line. They would recognise the gross hypocrisy if they were not so full of it themselves.
So, where is the red line? The Congress, which has been in the forefront of the ‘intolerance’ debate, extending support to the ultra-left demand for all kinds of ‘individual’ and ‘personal’ rights, has taken offence for some time now at movies based on ‘right wing politics’. Even the latest hit, Dhurandhar, has not escaped criticism. And this is the party that has upheld the right of Pakistan apologists and separatists to carry on with their agenda in the name of democracy! The right wing, including ‘mainstream’ BJP, is not exactly the standard bearer in the defence of opinions.
Ideally, it should be possible for anybody to utter any kind of nonsense and people should not feel perturbed. The ‘moderators’ of the debate (essentially the police) should be able to prevent violence. Unfortunately, the debate is never between equals. It’s more often like someone playing poker against the bank. So, there have to be rules and boundaries, as also recognition of what is acceptable on which forum. For instance, what can be openly discussed in Dehradun would probably be verboten in Shamli.
Much of the courage being displayed by the free speech crusaders comes from the distance provided by social media, which is where most of the battles are being fought these days. A general rule of thumb should be not to say what one would not in the physical presence of the listener or reader. It would certainly save everybody a lot of trouble.
