When I read a newspapers, everywhere I see people pin-pointing Bajrang Dal and other organizations who believe in Hindutva. Especially editor's of almost every newspaper try their best to prove how violent or iconoclastic these groups are. At the same time they deliberately overlook the root cause of the agitation. When someone uses the freedom of expression to express something which is morally very hateful, then he / she must be punished and should be shunned from doing so. It's because freedom of speech does not mean expressing something that will hurt the sentiments of the society. One should not take liberty of doing anything just because he / she lives in a democratic country.
Few of these questions that I would like to ask to those existing and emerging "Expressive Artists" and to the useless National Human Rights Commission of India and to all those who don't understand the difference between a sacrilegious act and a real art.
1. Why is always a Hindu god / goddess chosen to express their aesthetic approach. Why not any god / goddess from other religion ?
2. Why the name of a painting is related to India, e.g. Bharatmata drawn by M.F.Hussain? Why can't it be Queen Victoria? Why can't it be a icon of Christianity like Pope? Why can't it be Mohammad Paigambar.
3. Why is Nandita Das named as Sita and Shabana Azmi as Radha in the movie Fire? Why can't they find any other names?
4. Why only minorities are counted as seekers of justice? Why not the pracharak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangha who were hostages for a long time and found dead in North-Eastern India?
5. Why an Al-Quida bellicose who killed hundreds of innocent people is suddenly considered as humane at the time of testimony?
6 comments:
I object.
Would you (the people who are against whatever so called immoral happenings) blow up the Khajuraho sculptures just because they depict the Indian deities practicing the Kamasutra? Would you ban/burn the script of Khamasutra?
First of all, have you seen what Hussain had painted or Chandramohan has carved or sculpted? If no, then how the hell your sentiments are hurt. If yes, why in the first place did you tried to see them, when you were knowing that the art is not suitable for your viewing.
Who the hell have given the rights of moral policing over the people to the Bajarang Dal or whatever organization? Even if they really think that their sentiments have hurt, is the harassment of the people a right thing to do? What about destroying the public property, is it appropriate? Why can't they pursue a peaceful way? And how the hell a small mob can decide what is good for the society and what will hurt the sentiments of the society? Why do they harass the couples? If you don't like the things don't do it, why shun other from doing it. I doubt they really know anything about their religion.
There are many controversial painting, sculptures and other art forms which are objectionable with the Christianity's point of view. Maddona had many a times performed stage show along side a Crucifix in skimpy cloths, but nobody tried to kill her or harass her. As far as I know only Church had objection on her show. Recently she also performed near the Vatican City and people craved to see her show. Similarly, if any art form is so objectionable, then why the Hindu religious sect (to be specific Shankaracharya, the head of Hindu religion) says anything?
I'm against this pathetic moral policing? As far as the names of characters in a movie are considered, this is very ridiculous? Why can't a character's name be Sita or Radha, especially if the character is residing in Varanasi. May be the character's parents are too religious to give the names of Hindu goddesses to their daughter. If a person carrying a name of God is involved in some brutal crime, you will not punish him because he is carrying God's name and doing unlawful act. You will punish him solely for his deeds.
As as far as Freedom of Speech is considered, people must be allowed to freely covey their thoughts in any form, whether good or bad as far as it is not against the constitutional law. This is what I call the real democracy. But unfortunately, the democracy in our country is like a puppet in the hands of the powerholders.
Hmm, well -
first of all
- It is not only Hindu dieties, but also other dieties that have borne the brunt of freedom of expression.. Do you remember the Danish cartoonist?
Freedom of speech and expression essentially means that 'freedom to express oneself as one wishes'. However people take it to far at times, I agree. But it is left to one's individual discreetion as to what one wishes to pay heed to. Also I as an individual should know my limits. Moral policing or say any kind of policing/punishing isn't the correct way.
Names being Sita/Radha in Fire.. I don't think this is a point of contention at all! To put it simply - Well I can be named 'Lakshmi' and be as poor as to not have a penny in my pocket... So being named as 'xyz' and be involved in '_so_called_wrong_activities_' or otherwise doesn't really tarnish the image! I can be named anything at birth by my parents !
If you find any expressions wrong - it only reflects their upbringing /environment they have been exposed to/ their bent of mind juxtaposed to your own!
I have had people in Pune telling me I have no right being in Pune as I am not a Maharashtrian - Well, that's what they have learnt in their homes/schools/from friends.. Should I seek a ban/punsihment for people who have not taken civics seriously and not studied that being an Indian I can move around and settle anywhere in the country? No, I would say their narrow mindednes would tell upon them sometime.. It doesn't stop me from living here, working here..
I believe the way you exercise and consume 'freedom of speech/expression' begins from home, continues in school and shows up in your adult life.
Take it with a pinch of salt..Just ignore! most people do things for cheap publicity.. Ignoring puts them to rest..
@chetanpatil
I have seen Hussain's paintings an Chandramohan's sculpture on a news channel . So, I am not writing this blog just for the sake of writing it. And yes, my sentiments get hurt when someone tries to play with them. Also, I don't need any group to support my opinions.
This is a typical mentality that we see. We keep asking about rights and all, but nobody tries to find the answer. If Medha Patkar finds any injustice happening, she doesn't wait for some 'authority' to look into it. Neither she waits for the person who has 'rights' to handle the situation. She takes the responsibility on her shoulders. Because she knows that we doesn't live in an idealistic world and if someone needs justice, he have to fight for it. I never supported sabotaging the public property. But, that doesn't mean we should allow cheap publicity stunts under the name of freedom.
Day by day we are losing our belief in the traditions and we are turning into a dumb society.
We ask for the justice of a fake encounter at the same time ,we neglect the horrible conditions that Kashmiri Pandits are facing these days. The live a refugees' life in this country.
I am against those people who doesn't think of the public reaction before doing anything. I am against those one, who have a biased view and promotes the welfare of a part of society just for the sake of their interests.
@loopback:
dude...i also disagree with u...
U live in a democracy...n everybody has a basic rite to express wat he thinks...
Juz bcoz some1 has depicted something tat a certain section of society doesnt like should not change the perception of ur belief/feelings...
Wats the use of such belief/feelings tht keep on changing day in and day out depending on wat others have to say/depict(n these r ppl u dont even know...)
n u talk abt these grps being rite to protest n damgae public property..tats total BS...
Its the only way they get some publicity...
why the hell these grps never raise ne social issues plaguaring our society..see the condn of roads in pune for ex...i never remember them dng a protest march or nething like tat to pressurise the corporation to improve the condn of roads...
or wher r they in times when ppl need them during natural calamities n stuff like tat...
abt ur Que
Q 1.of not depicting other gods...if i m a hindu why will i be so much into other religions...
Q 3.u gotta be kidding me...now u cant force film makers to name the character depending on the role he/she plays...so u want to say if i m a ATHEIST(which i m not)i shud not be named after some GOD...tats ridiculous man...
Q 4.i seriously dont understand y this country needs them if they r almost good for nothing....
Q 5.i agree with u on this pt..but this is just another cheap publicity stunt...tats y u dont need to catch a terrorist juz shoot him/her straight away...y the heck waste our money on feeding them when a 10rs kaa bullet can do the job...
@chetanpatil:
i agree with u totally...democracy is just like the concept of PURNA SWARAJ..which according to me we r long way off from achieving it..
@swati:
i think ignorance is the least we can do...
@paresh
1. I am not supporting thrashing public property to express one's anger or disagreement. All I want to say is that when some issue occurs, we only see its one side.
2. Being a part of a society, I have some rights as well as some duties. So,before acting, one should see what could be the repercussions of that act.
3. What will you call a person, who knows that his art will cause some issues and still he promotes it? Don't you think that he is also a part of a society and owes something to the society?
4.There are a lots of organizations including Bajrang Dal who helped people in case of natural calamities. Also, they are aware of the local issues. So, these are not the philistines as people call them. I agree that the way they protest is wrong, but that doesn't overshadow the cause of agitation.
5.Simply blaming the people who are doing the protest is not the final solution, as it is inspired from a biased view. We have to follow some rules to keep peace alive. When we say democracy, it should not mean a permit to disturb the communal or social peace, it should mean harmony. And harmony can only come when people respect each other, when they go hand in hand with each others.
6. So when one expect that his or her art should be seen with an aesthetic view, he / she should also make sure that that piece of art should not disturb the sentiments of society by any means. Then only the balance will be maintained.
- Rigorous testing
Hi all,
I think MFH is corrupt minded person, so its waste of time to even talk about him and his did.
People should use financial stability for the building strong and healthy society.
It can't be the issue whether MFH is portraying Hindu gods or any other. All are same; these are we who are differentiating between them.
Off course these are my views and I never expect that everybody should follow it. But would definitely like to request, don't support the things just to be something different, support them if you are convinced and sure.
Thanks
Vinesh
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