Monday, May 14, 2007

Freedom of Expression - Do we have it in India?

It has been a shameful spate of events occurring at Vadodara. The thugs of the VHP, lead by a particular Neeraj Jain, who claim to be representatives of the majority of the country have vandalized and illegally imprisoned a college student. All this hooliganism based on their restricted and uneducated point of view of the paintings of a few students.

It's sad to see that in a country like ours where our forefathers paid artists generously to adorn their palaces and temples with deities and beautiful women alike, today's artistes don't have the freedom that is symbolic of a diverse and educated society. They respected these artistes as they held the ability to put into form what all of us just could only dream of. The palaces of Rajasthan, the temples of Bellur and Halibed all show beauty in its true form. It's just sad to see that a handful minority is ruling the vast majority in our country. These hooligans are openly flaunting their control over the police and the nauseating elements of our society.

Paintings are a medium of self expression. The person who paints is free, free even by the Indian Constitution that we so proudly cite, to express himself or herself in any way that he or she wishes to. This is something that is very personal. If you dont like it you should move onto the next painting and if you are someone from the VHP, BJP or Sang Parivar just move along to the next garbage dump and park yourselves there.

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