Though Freedom of expression is enshrined in the Constitution of India as a fundamental right, time and again, this right has been placed under siege, giving its way to demands from right groups. Under pressure from such groups and often to suit its own political interests, the Government too has acted as a collaborator in this assault on freedom of expression.
Despite its clearance by the censor Board and the Indian Government with a disclaimer, the decision by the Rane Government to once again refer the release of the Da Vinci Code movie in Goa to his Cabinet is one such classic case of collaboration, or to put it in other words, an inherently ingrained timidity in the face of pressure from rights groups. Goa is well known as a liberal progressive State. It is today a permanent venue for the International Film Festival of India. If at all the Cabinet decides to ban the movie in Goa, this move will be detrimental to the healthy growth of civil society and will be seen as a victory for bigotry. Moreover, such an act will open the Pandoras Box, developing a new phenomenon with menacing proportions, with more and more Right-wing groups emerging and acting as the cultural policemen, deciding what is good and what is bad for others. Doest the Rane Government wish to create a situation where democracy itself is threatened by such self-styled community leaders who will then decide what books other should read, what films others should watch, what paintings others should buy and what food others should eat? Goa is a free society which boasts of a progressive democracy. Goan Christians, like the rest in the World, are by and large a tolerant and self-confident community. The Government should not "cave in" to the antics and demands of bigots and religious fundamentalists, who are but a few, as it will not augur well for either Goas reputation as a permanent venue for the Film Festival or the Christian community. The Da Vinci Code is just a movie based on a book. It is nothing but a thrilling piece of fiction rather than any vicious attack against Christianity. On the ground of protecting religious susceptibilities, the Rane Government should not take the extreme action of banning the movie. The Government must note that blasphemy is an outdated notion, whereas freedom of expression constitutes one of the central principles of liberalism. Goa should not acquire the dubious distinction of banning this movie when it has been premiered at the Cannes Festival, when it has been released worldwide including in Christian dominated Countries and when even the Vatican has not demanded its outright ban. If the Government, in its misguided wisdom, does decide against the screening of this movie in Goa, the result will be catastrophic. The Pandoras Box will be opened and Goa will be dragged into an age of unreason -- a new Dark Age. Cheers Sandeep Heble __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com _____________________________________________ Do not post admin requests to the list. Goanet mailing list (Goanet@goanet.org)
