On “Communally Sensitive” Questions & the Gradual Erosion of Our Freedoms
Earlier today, I was reminded of this news-item from June ’11:
Mystery surrounds an American agency carrying out a survey in different parts of India to know the Muslim opinion on some sensitive issues like placing Sharia over the Indian laws, Islam’s role in mainstram Indian politics, and whether Islam is under any serious threat.
…Kerala Police chief Jacob Punnose says the survey had communal overtones and hence a case has been filed against TNS India for asking communally sensitive questions.
“We have decided to file a case of 153(a) under Indian Penal Code (IPC) which relates to the charge of promoting enmity between groups on grounds of religion and race”
No points for guessing why…You can now add asking “communally sensitive” questions to the list of things in India that can get you into trouble…
As a quick reminder, other similar things that can land you in jail include writing scandalous information about “high-profile” people, attempts to tear the secular fabric of the nation , what you post on “social media“, offensive and objectionable material on your blog etc etc..
Not surprisingly, none of these terms have been defined anywhere – to the best of my knowledge. Not surprisingly because by not defining these things, one can always use one’s own “judgement” in such matters…
The signs are ominous. Slowly but surely, the government seems to be determined to muzzle our freedoms...freedom to criticise, to express, to articulate and to defend…
If all this was not so dangerous (and damaging in the long term), it would be very funny…Be worried, very worried…and please register your protest – wherever and whenever you can.
Related Posts: Â On Artistic Freedom, Censorship and Responsibility, Losing sleep over communal violence and hate propaganda, Â On scandalous information and “high profile” people etc etc…
Also read: On Blogs, Comments, Liability and Being Sued…
P.S. More than 2 years ago, the Supreme Court made the following observation while dismissing a case against the late MF Husain:Â “a painter has..own perspective of looking @ things & diff in perspective can’t be basis of criminal proceedings”. Can any lawyers or those with a background in law please comment whether the same “protection” is available to bloggers? Thanks.
Image courtesy: Wikipedia
Shantanu, the moment the Indian government actually stops access to FB, the government will fall. That much is sure.
I am not sure whether this move on the part of the government was so bad at all. The organization that wanted this survey conducted is a US Think Tank and I wonder what locus standi a US Think Tank could have on the opinion of muslims in India about issues affecting them, other than to exploit it for promoting their own ulterior agenda. The outcome of this survey could be used by the US and other countries to whip India on another “human-rights” / “religious rights” kind of campaign and push for a further shrinkage of the space available for Hindus. It appears to me to be a very rare instance of the government acting (perhaps unwittingly) in the interest of Hindus in India.