Shiv Kumar Padha
The fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution of the country are a bonanza of gifts for the citizens of Bharat. Besides others, the rights, covered under the category of fundamental rights chapter, freedom of expression is the only right which gives voice and words even to the deaf and dumb citizens of the country. There are many kinds of democracies in vogue in different countries of the world, but freedom of expression which the citizens of Bharat enjoy is unique and of its own kind in the world. Freedom of expression is like a long rope, which, if utilized judiciously and with care can prove a succor otherwise it becomes a hanging noose for the whole society. It is wisely said,’ wounds of the swords heal but not the bitter words. In civilized societies the decency of one’s language is an indicator of his civility, decorum, prudence, propriety and courtesy. One can make a friend of a foe with humble words and vice versa. India, being a biggest and strongest democracy of the world, expects from its statesmen, parliamentarians, legislators, intellectuals and even from the common man, mannerism, etiquettes and decency in their speech and behavior overtly and covertly.
Since the last one decade the nation is experiencing a great upheaval and fall in the standards of speech, use of inappropriate, insulting language, passing derogatory, defamatory remarks against each other by the politicians with a sole purpose of tarnishing each other’s image by the character assassinations and mudslinging game. The standard of the Indian politicians have never been so low as it is seen these days where the disgruntled politicians, in their endeavor of toppling the elected governments lock, stock and barrel, do not hesitate in passing the blaspheming and seditious remarks against other religions, their gods and their own country only to please a particular community at the instance of their mentors sitting in the hostile countries with their sole aim of the destabilizing integrity, sovereignty and tranquility of Bharat. Not to talk of the politicians, our social and general media, in the race of earning TRP and come in their good books, go to the extent of aggravating the situations and making it more inflammable and hate filled by making mountain of a molehill by playing and replaying, the same provocative captions time and again with their exaggerative and biased commentaries on the big and small screens. Many times these unscrupulous politicians, having taken an oath of the constitution of Bharat dozens of times, succeed in their endeavor of fragmenting the delicate fiber which help keeping the nation united and unified in spite of its character of unity in diversity.
In the wake of the forthcoming parliamentary elections in 2024 the race of hate speeches, spitting venom against the targeted community, political , security forces, and all the pillars of Indian democracy is gaining momentum every day. The political leaders in league with their sympathizers in other countries are sparing no efforts in bifurcating the Indian society on the bases, casts, sub casts, privileged and non privileged classes, languages, beliefs, faiths, regions and religions. As the parliamentary elections in the country are drawing near the actual intentions and faces of our politicians, hidden behind the deceptive mask, is being exposed day by day in their action and speeches. Taking the benefits of freedom of expression the politicians, are in competition to overtake and get an edge over their accomplices in the use of abusive vulgar, filthy and insulting language against the community considered as a main hindrance in the way of their reaching the parlor of power by hook or by crook. The cheap and the blasphemous and seditious statements being given by the persons considered as the senior statesmen of the country do not conform to their political experience, size and stature, allegiance for the country and its constitution they have sworn in many times. There are infinite examples of the statements given by the so called Indian politicians where they have passed blasphemous remarks against the gods and epics and their authors of a particular targeted community. Day in and day out the pages of the sacred books are burnt in the broad day light brazenly and with impunity. A particular religion is compared with potassium cynide and with the mosquitoes and other flies spreading dengu and malaria. The priests and the headmen of the particular community are branded as debauch. Hats off to the Indian society which never falls in the vicious and treacherous traps of these antinational elements in the guise of the nationalist.
It is a pity that even after 75 years of India’s independence majority of our most respected and revered parliamentarians, legislators and the country’s renowned statesmen, in order to gain political mileage, feel pride in taking the sides and justifying the barbarous acts of society’s/nation’s most wanted, declared and absconding culprits involved in the cases of stone pelting, arson, plundering, setting public and private property ablaze, taking part in seditious activities, creating an environment of terror in the peaceful society. These political lawyers take it their pleasure and privilege in providing them free legal aid and contest their case in the courts of the country while ignoring the shrieks, woes and agonies of the victims of those riots.
A set of self proclaimed philanthropist of the country have initiated a derive against their own democratically elected governments outside the land and tarnishing the image of India in the international fora. These leaders, out of their jealous attitudes, have set a negative narrative against India and its government at a time when India is emerging as a third economy in the world, when the status of India has never been so high as it is now among the most popular, powerful and developed countries of the world. These responsible politicians must give hundred thoughts before uttering even a small syllable against their own country rather they must exhibit allegiance to the republic of India from the core of their hearts. It is the beauty of a democratic government where our representatives can exchange hot but decent words and sometimes come to the blows but they must restrain themselves from making the statements which result in hate and enmity in the society. One thing must be always be kept in mind by every true Indian, country first, political parties second and the religion last.
(The author is social activist).
