SPECIAL ISSUE

February 18, 2006: Why play with religious sentiments?

Dear Readers:
Freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right for every human being. This right allows an individual to convey his or her opinion in a constructive and peaceful manner without an fear or favor. It is vital and basis for the proper function of democracy. Every freedom comes with enormous responsibility. But, if such valuable freedom is misused or infringed upon, it creates nothing but havoc.
Being in print media for over 30 years, I love, value and attribute highest respect for freedom of speech. However, one’s freedom of speech does not entail one to infringe on the freedom of others. Especially, when it comes to religion, it is a very personal matter of everyone, and playing with any religious sentiment or belittling any religion is highly objectionable.
The present rage over the cartoons published in a Danish newspapers, have created havoc in many parts of the world. Even though the controversial cartoons were plainly a political commentary in nature and such commentary has been long accepted in the west as within bounds of freedom of speech, they have offended the sensitive sentiments of the Muslim community. As a result, innocent people, who have nothing to do with it, are victims of such a wrath. Many even lost their lives. In spite of the apologies from the Danish newspaper as well as the Danish government, protests still continue worldwide.
My observation through all these years has been that the Western media as well as Western business houses mindfully or unmindfully indulge in playing with the religious sentiment for political or monetary gain. Quite often they have hurt the Hindu sentiment by displaying the Hindu gods in inappropriate manner or in bad taste. Such most outrageous incidents have been printing of images of the Hindu gods on underwear, on footwear, or even on toilet covers. These practices have become a business for them. Though Hindu protests have never been blown out of proportions in any of these incidents, the Westerners have never learnt to desist from touching the raw nerves of Hindus, and continue to depict their gods in bad taste.
Recently, a well-known painter, M.F. Husain, has painted Hindu gods as well as Bharatmata in nude. Even in the past Husain had indulged in such a practice. In all these incidents, the Hindu protests have been mild in comparison to the stir created by the present controversial cartoons. Does it show that the Hindus are so tolerant to the extent of being too stupid? Or do they simply not care any more?
I do believe that violence is not a solution, but asking for so-called apology is not going to stop Western society to slander or malign Hinduism or other religions. All religious groups should have to be united to launch protests all over the world against wrong-doers by boycotting their products and services, so no one can dare to play against religions.

Sincerely,

Prashant Shah
Editor & Publisher