How free is Freedom of Expression?
Freedom of expression comes with our democratic rights. We appreciate what we like and criticize what we disapprove of. In the same way, artists, writers, actors and the like express themselves and their thoughts in their work be it by paintings, books or acting. There are several other mediums of expression that we make use of as individuals in a free independent country, giving each other space and making use of our democratic rights too. But pray, when does this act of artistic freedom become an infringement on the sensibilities of certain sections of society? Why does it become so? If expressing one’s freedom of speech or artistic expression becomes a provocation for violence and disharmony should the person expressing himself/herself be treated like a terrorist and be shunted out unceremoniously? Does expression of speech come with its share of responsibility?
Live and Let Live
You may have heard of reports in all kinds of media of the reputed artist, M F Husain’s decision to give up Indian citizenship and take up citizenship in Qatar. This because he and his work were not guaranteed freedom of expression as is evident in all the events from the time his controversial painting of the nude goddess took place. His paintings were destroyed, his house vandalized and cases piled up against him for disrupting harmony in the country, causing insult to another religion and inciting violence among the people.
In the same manner, Salman Rushdie’s books were banned and a fatwa put on him that turned him into a complete recluse trying to save himself from the people trying to kill him.
Taslima Nasreen, also a writer is wandering from country to country only because she dared to write what others didn’t especially in her country.
There are innumerable other people who have suffered, have been traumatized and are still suffering for expressing their deserving right of freedom of expression. So, where did they go wrong for producing so much hatred and dislike for them and their works? Is it only a section of the society that is getting extra sensitive by this freedom of expression or are there other sections of society too that are genuinely affected by ‘irresponsible’ freedom of expression.
Those disturbed by the acts of these artists, writers, actors, etc state that since what these people do or say is liable to influence others because of the wide reach of the work, their actions must be judged critically. They also say that no freedom comes without responsibility. Creative people, they state, have a social and moral responsibility towards their work and should be held responsible for their work which means that they should not say or do anything in speech, action or work that could fan the embers of violence in a country which is home to so many diverse religions.
But what about the attempts to strangulate the voices of those who are not even attempting to do or say anything wrong? And here, the fault lies in the voices that are trying to shut them up. Like the moral brigade that does not want Valentine’s Day, like some governments in India that want a total ban on western music, like those who want a movie to be banned and indulge in violence only because the actor spoke about something that they don’t agree with. What about the blogger, Chyetanya Kunte who was forced to express an apology and take off his blog that criticized Barkha Dutt’s coverage and commentary of 26/11? What about the political parties that incite violence in the public on a regular basis by presenting wrong facts to them and then provoking them to indulge in violence? Why are they not held up then?
Today, more than ever, people have become aware (thanks to the internet) and are expressing themselves left, right and centre about issues that were earlier left to political parties and the like. People today want to participate in the social process and development of the country and so, express themselves in whatever forms they deem right. I am not saying that all are right. Some of them can be mighty destructive and scathing too in their manner of expression but they are only expressing their freedom of expression. Why deprive a person of his/her creative license only because it appears negative? In fact, a court hearing in Mumbai ruled sometime back that all religions in India can be criticized as it is the approved fundamental right to freedom of speech. Of course, the issue is not just about the criticism of religions. It is about being comfortable and being free to express one’s thoughts unmindful of a possibly dangerous consequence like a ban, attempt to murder, etc. Like someone said, “Assuming he is wrong, he has a right to be wrong.”
You tell me friends. Does freedom of speech and expression comes with a no holds card? Or does it require a certain degree of responsibility with it? Who has the right to judge how much is too much!
Good topic Shail....how much freedom is enough freedom and how much of it tramples on others'sensibilities? Very difficult to tread the middle path here!
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Thanks Beyniaz. It is indeed a difficult question about how much freedom is too much and who has the right to curtail if necessary. We need to form limits ourselves taking care to not hurt others if possible.
As you said, it is 'very difficult to tread the middle path!'
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You know, I've found in my experience that the very people who want to curtail other people's right to freedom of expression, are the ones who have a lot of irrelevant and hurtful things to say...and they don't want their freedom of expression to be curbed!
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Yes, Mita. Very true. Most of these protesters are the ones who are inciting violence and hatred and using others as a pawn in their game of politics and material gain.
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The reactions of some Hindus to M.F. Hussain's paintings reminded me of the Muslim world's reaction to the Prophet's cartoons by Dutch artist.Who is to say which one was justified and the other one was not ? I for one would have liked M.F.Hussain to be in India.
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Thanks Vimala. I agree fully with you although we really don't know who is justified in their actions and reactions.
But yes, an artist like M.F.Husain should have stayed in India.
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Thanks Shail for another thought provoking article on freedom of expression.
Freedom of expression in India is subject to so many restrictions. People are really getting scared to express their opinion even if they have some strong feelings on a particular issue. This is due to threats or problems which they may face due to their opinion. As a result people use the internet to express their opinion as it gives the option to hide their real identity.
I hope atleast the situation will improve in the near future.
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Thanks Hari. I am glad you liked the article.
While on one side there are too many restrictions imposed on those wanting to be heard, there are riot-causing expressions of freedom too on the other side.
We definitely need a balance between the two.
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While I denounce absolutely the actions of the so called Hindu brigade did MFH have to run away?Nobody asked him to leave.And yes freedom must come with some responsibility I feel otherwise there will be chaos -society being what it is.But one cannot excuse violence-no way!
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Thanks Sreelata. Sometimes, we do go haywire with our democratic rights not knowing where to draw the line.
Yes, I too felt that if M F Husain loved his India so much he needn't have left the country. Of course, it is painful when your work is vandalized and you are humiliated.
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Well, a dicey subject with not so simple answers. Freedom of expression is fine, but I believe as you've rightly put it; there needs to be an equal 'sense of responsibility too."
Again, it is difficult to say how much is too much. Standardisation was never for creative people anyway, I feel.
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Yes, Sneha. The topic, freedom of expression is as difficult as it sounds. While it may seem a simple democratic right, if used unwisely can cause a real riot. And creativity tends to become a victim most of the time here.
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Yes, freedom comes with responsibility... but freedom of expression cannot be subject to whims of fundamentalists.
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I agree fully and completely with you Irene. Much as freedom of expression needs to be tied down with the chains of responsibility, it also cannot be made into a tool to destroy harmony by people.
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Definitely freedom of speech does carry responsibilities with it.But it is so difficult to decide the limits to this right and who can lay down the definite limits. I suppose the answers to these weighty questions will evolve with time.
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Shail, I am sure that you might have come across a nicely written piece, titled, “On saying please” by AG Gardiner, also known as “Alpha of the plough”. In that, he says, “The law does not compel me to say 'please' or to attune my voice to other people's sensibilities any more than it says that I shall not wax my moustache or dye my hair or wear ringlets down my back.” And in the same article, says, “If we encounter incivility most of us are apt to become uncivil, but it is an unusually uncouth person who can be disagreeable with sunny people.”
So, how free is free? can be determined by how much we invade the other’s person’s space and freedom. And Yes, freedom of expression does come with a certain degree of responsibility. And regarding who has the right to judge how much is too much, I think market forces, determined by individuals, is the best judge – If the painter/writer or creative artist has exceeded limits, individuals will decide to boycott it – that will determine the commercial success of that person, and I think, that, is the best judge.
In MF Hussain’s case, the media is only highlighting the fact that the artist is taking citizenship elsewhere. IT HAS TO BE SEEN WHETHER MR.HUSSAIN TOOK UP THE DECISION OF MOVING AWAY FROM INDIA, PURELY ON THE GROUND OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. If that is so, then it is sad. But it doesn’t appear to be so. I believe the painter had a choice, and he exercised it. If KJ Jesudas relocates to USA, and if Viswanathan Anand relocates to Spain, why should the intentions of MF Hussain alone be circumspect?
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Couldn't have come across a better response for the article Om!
Yes, freedom comes with responsibility which many of us are either genuinely not aware of or intentionally ignore it.
Agreed, M F Husain had a choice and he made a noise while the others you mentioned did not and quietly carried on with their moving out!
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But how do we measure the level or degree of Freedom of expression,in a positive sense, when there is no definte rule or guideline for it. Then it does not mean one can act extremely against this freedom.
There are people who express themselves and get the brunt of it and some others who remain silent for they know what they have to face and remain in their shell.
In no way VIOLENCE can be the solution.
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Thanks Gouri for your response.
Freedom of expression comes in the form of silence and verbal and artistic expression, both of which can make enough noise. But of course, sometimes, silence is golden in order to avoid conflict.
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I agree with Gouri. How does one determine the level of freedom of expression? thanks for such a nice blog Shail.
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Thanks Indrani. Nice you liked the blog. Freedom of expression does come with responsibility. And violence definitely is not the solution anytime anywhere.
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Nice you liked the blog Indrani. Yes, Freedom of expression does carry with it a sense of responsibility otherwise where will we all land up with our diverse cultures, backgrounds and equally different wavelengths and attitudes?
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Shail, as usual your article is indeed deep and thought provoking. Freedom of expression should carry a certain degree of responsibility. But it is definitely difficult to decide as to who can set the limits to this freedom.I see that my earlier comment to your article had not been posted. So I thought that I will anyway try again and hope that it does get posted.
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Thanks for the compliment. Yes, it is hard to decide where freedom starts and where it ends. Who is it that will decide what we should speak or write? It is rests entirely with us as individuals to be able to restrict ourselves when we feel that we could harm the sensibilities of others even if we are tagged as wimps. What do you say?
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Many questions and no one to decide the right answer. You have raised a very relevant point when you say that why spare the politicians who regularly play with people's sentiments. Good blog Shail.
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Thanks Lesley. As you rightly said, it is difficult to decide who restricts or judges our freedom of expression. Why should freedom of expression be abused and misused?
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