The expressionlessness of Freedom

Back in the day I used to watch a cartoon series on Star World, known as the Simpsons.  The show is a satire on the current problems as seen by a typical middle class family of Springfield. I’m sure most of you have heard of it, if not then do see it, it’s pretty hilarious. There was once an episode (Season 2, episode 9) in the Simpsons, in which we see the kids enjoying a cartoon series (a parody on Tom & Jerry), called Itchy & Scratchy. 

After watching a violent Itchy & Scratchy cartoon, Maggie hits Homer over the head with a mallet. Marge realizes she decided to do such a thing because of watching the show. She sends a letter to its creators which is just mocked and has no effect. Marge protests in front of the studio where the show is produced and soon gains nationwide support. Marge appears on TV and asks parents to send letters to the creators. As ratings plummet, the producers ask Marge for ideas on the new look 'Itchy & Scratchy'. Her ideas turn the show into a boring tame television show, and the ratings hit rock bottom. Subsequently, Michelangelo's nude "David" is exhibited at a museum and other crusaders ask Marge to rally their cause. But Marge finds nothing objectionable about the statue. Caught in a dilemma, she realizes that she was 

wrong for protesting against a form of free speech, and the show is resumed to what it used to be.

Now, here’s the question, can art or any other form of expression be condemned?

We live in a time where a drawing a caricature, posting a Facebook update or even liking one can land you in jail. We live in a time where a heinous rapist might get acquitted and go Scot free but an intellectual filmmaker who makes thought provoking films suffers ban on his films as it may hurt religious sentiments. Whatever happened to the freedom of speech & expression? Wasn’t that our fundamental right? I haven’t studied law but I do know that fundamental rights of a citizen are above law.

The recent example, Actor/Director Kamal Hassan’s “Vishwaroopam” faced lot of controversies. Legal controversies regarding the film's portrayal of Islamism aroused several Muslim extremist groups, who protested the film's release in Tamil Nadu, resulting in an official ban being imposed on the film in the state for 15 days by the Madras High Court. The ban resulted in similar decisions being made in Sri Lanka and Malaysia while release was delayed in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka. Despite the fragmented release, Vishwaroopam garnered generally favorable reviews from critics, most of whom had downplayed claims of the film being anti-Muslim. The ban on the film in Tamil Nadu was lifted by Madras High Court following a special screening, but was later upheld on January 30 and further release of the film was blocked by the government of Tamil Nadu over law-and-order concerns. The consecutive banning of the film was strongly criticized by the Indian film fraternity, including the Central Board of Film Certification.

Now, come to think of it, the film hurt religious sentiments. I daresay, why we can’t put aside our religious differences and take a look at what the director wants us to see? We say that India is a secular country, but I feel that somehow, the true meaning of Secularism got lost in translation over the ages. We Indians like to add a certain type of masala to our lives, we know that this masala will fire up our asses, but we do it anyway. Sadly we think with our hearts and not our brains. Hence the despicable state of our country.  I read this somewhere and I do agree with the line “Isn’t it high time we come over things like Religious Stereotypes and bother about more practical worth issues, corruption education, poverty etc.?”

We’ve already lost a great artist M.F. Husain due to such acts in the past, now we are on the verge of losing the talented Kamal Hassan. Ask yourself, is it fair? Is it called for?

In order to advance in a positive direction, we must get over our differences and understand the true concept of religion, which is the unity of all mankind. God is one, stop differentiating & start integrating.

Freedom of speech & expression can be misused, like the recent stint by MIM leader Owaisi, but there are ways to deal with it. But these sorts of activities that are happening nowadays, arresting innocent teenage girls over plain updates and banning movies out of fear have to stop.

There’s a phrase, “Stop Judging & Start living”. We all might wanna start practicing it now.

 And by the way, if ever my blog/updates/tweets ever hurt anyone’s sentiments, be it emotional, mental or religious, do tell me before protesting in front of my house, ok? Thank you.