STIFLING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Kamal Haasan is one of the greatest actors in the globe. He is a humanist, a secular person a proud Indian. Vishwaroopam, his latest film, is released in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and abroad. But to the shock of  freedom lovers it is banned in his home state causing huge financial loss and mental agony to a man who has served our country with devotion through his creativity. All because some fringe fundamentalist groups  do not like some scenes: a film certified by the Censor Board has super- censors .

Corruption is a social equaliser. The higher sections do due to greed while the lower sections do due to deprivation. The  higher sections cover-up their corruption and often escape, while those belonging to backward and Dalit communities are more visible. Corruption by the weaker sections is a good sign of  distributive justice. This is the substance of what  Ashis Nandy said at Jaipur. These views were  presented by him at academic forums. At Jaipur the choice of words was not appropriate and   the forum was a public one with the media present. All the political parties found an opportunity for cornering more votes and wanted his arrest. Now he has to face the Jaipur police for interrogation and who knows what. Instead of a healthy debate to examine his theoretical proposition for equity and justice , he has to explain to the police why SC and ST ( Prevention of Atrocities Act) should not be applied against him.

Freedom of speech, expression , creative work of art or film, humour and above all thought are under serious threat from cultural terrorism of fundamentalist groups and state terrorism of unlimited power. Sycophancy is promoted and dissent suppressed. A FRIGHTENING SITUATION IN OUR REPUBLIC FOUNDED BY GREAT LEADERS. 

POLITICAL SOCIOLOGIST AND HATE POLITICS

Political and social theorist Ashis Nandy stoked an unnecessary controversy. Caste and religion are
Independent variables in sociological research. But in social life, the use of these variables Depend
on highly sensitive issues. Prof Nandy, speaking at the Jaipur Literary Festival, said that people
belonging to Backward Classes, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are the most corrupt.A
deadly statement on India's Republic Day: politically prejudiced and sociologically incorrect leading
to a Tsunami of protests. CM  Ashok Gehlot described that such a statement could only be made by a
person" only after losing mental balance". Justice MN Rao, Chairman of the National Commission for Backward Classes, condemned Nandy's casteist remarks and said: Irresponsible statements of this nature may result in social convulsions endangering peace and tranquility in society.

Legally Nandy appears to have violated the SC and ST ( Prevention of Atrocities ) Act. FIRs are filed against him. Demand for his arrest from political and social activists and leaders has been on the
increase.As a Sociologist Prof Nandy is expected to be unbiased and non-judgmental.

 

FROM RAPIST-KILLER TO SERIAL RAPIST-KILLER

Correction of the offender is the aim of the criminal justice system.But in the Indian jails the offender
most often becomes a hardened criminal due to the brutalising conditions in the jails. A Kiran  Bedi emerges once in a way to initiate prison reforms, but the system remains almost unaffected. Once the offender is punished, individual-centred approach is not the norm, but only a rare exception.

Sunil's known criminal career started around the age of 21, when he was arrested on charges of  rape
and murder. The Nashik Court gave him death sentence, but the High Court acquitted him of all charges. Released on  May28,2012 after jail term for other cases, he settled at Shirdi as a self-employed in work related to the pilgrims' needs. On December 28, 2012 he abducted a nine-year old girl known to him, and was allegedly raped and killed her. A married man with two children and working  in the precincts of a holy shrine, Sunil could not control his libidinous urge and inclination
to kill his victim. Another avoidable loss of life to lust.

The serial rapist-killer Sunil is the creation of an indifferent and unscientific justice delivery system, a jail which grossly failed in its duty to correct him. Sex offenders, rapists, and persons who take the lives of others need to be individualised for therapy, CORRECTION, and rehabilitation. Otherwise
more and more Sunils will be created.

A team of Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists and Social Workers needs to be drafted in our jails for individual - centred correction. A systematic and scientific policy for correction of the criminals should be put in place. Once released, the sex offenders should be centrally registered, monitored through the area police stations, and placed under probation and supervision by Social Workers.

HUMAN LIVES ARE CHEAPEST IN INDIA

Illegal  drug trials on unsuspecting persons, innocent children and the mentally challenged from poor sections of our population for multi-national companies have been taking place in our country causing deaths, and physical as well as mental damages. The unholy nexus between hospitals
doctors,government officials and the MNCs is well-known. But the government of India has been
dragging its feet on policy and implementation for years and years. Last week the Supreme Court
asked whether the government was in slumber. In fact the government has been on coma due to paralysis of inaction and lack of will-power.

It appears that the Supreme Court And High Courts should set up ESOs (executive supervision
offices ) to regularly oversee the central and state governments to protect the welfare of the people.
What a dismal state of affairs in the largest democracy in the world? 

BHARATH VERSUS INDIA

RSS Chief ,the custodian of Hindutva, asserts that rapes take place in (urban) India and not in Bharath(rural India). Contrary to his assertion statistics unmistakably indicate that the percentage of rapes and crimes against women in villages is overwhelmingly higher than that in cities. But the high priests of Bharathiya Sanskriti (culture ) are not convinced with the hard facts. They prefer to be in the illusory world of ' tradition ?'. They blame the Western culture for all the ills of the Indian society.   They are ready with Do's and Don'ts for our women. A senior Minister in MP cautions women not to cross the Lakshman Rekha by breaching moral boundaries. Another leader is a woman; Chairperson of Chattisgarh Women's Commission. She says that women's dress and behaviour,influenced by Western culture, give a cue to men to rape them.

Mahabharata,our national epic, has a shockingly glaring  example of the assault on the modesty of women.When the Kaurava prince attempted to disrobe queen Draupadi in the open court before the emperor, kings and highly esteemed leaders and teachers,no one dared to stop the horrendous attempt. Draupadi was a rare woman with exemplary courage and determination,and a role model for Indian womanhood. But the humiliation meted out to her is a blot on the Indian culture.

If political leaders cannot guarantee safety for our girls and women, LET THEM AT LEAST  SHUT THEIR MOUTHS UP.