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ShareImay disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to death, your right to say it -- Voltaire.
It can easily be noted by us all that intolerance, one way or the other, is making way into our lives whatever the reason may be. Ravindra Kumar, the editor and Anand Sinha, the publisher of The Statesman were arrested on February 12 for republishing an article from The Independent titled, 'Why should I respect these oppressive religions?' on religious intolerance by Johann Hari.
The Statesman is a highly revered and liberal English daily in Kolkata. The article, carried on February 5, angered a small group of belligerent Muslims who felt that it disrespected the Prophet Mohamed and insulted their religion. Angry protests were held outside The Statesman's offices. Threats of dire consequences for the government were made if the article's author, the publisher and editor were not arrested.
Yet if Hari did not show sensitivity to religions like Judaism, Christianity and Islam, on the other hand, a riotous section of the Muslims of central Kolkata too showed scant regard for what is known as expression of freedom, resulting in unjust arrests.
Kumar had published an unconditional apology in the issues of February 7, 8 (front page) and 11 stating, "It was not the intention of The Statesman to malign Islam or the Prophet. Readers of this newspaper are aware of our deep and abiding respect for all faiths, and our utter abhorrence for fundamentalist forces."After this apology, there was no reason for the Muslim community there to have been so intolerant.
People like the protestors fail to understand that these violent and anti-democratic expressions are the worst possible publicity for their faith. Owing to their zealous misdeeds, the average Muslim -- who is in the majority -- has to pay dividends. As reaction to this, without ado, the media will brand the entire Muslim fraternity as a lot of extremists and as usual, indulge in Islam-baiting.
Intolerance of one or the other kind is on the rise. When the movie, Passion of the Christ was released, members of the Jewish community were wary of the release, fearing an increase in anti-Semitism. Earlier it was the Shiv Sena that vandalised harried boys and girls on Valentine's Day, today it is Ram Sene maligning maryada purushottama Ram.
The intolerant MIM activists of Hyderabad almost took the life of Taslima Nasreen. Such people represent the intolerant sections that do not believe in values of amnesty and mutual co-existence. But it was heartening to note in Taslima's case that the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband issued a fatwa that taking the life of Taslima Nasreen, in any way is un-Islamic and undemocratic.
At the same time, secular fundamentalism and orthodoxy too must be reined. France, supposedly the champion of freedom of expression, by prohibiting the hijab (veil), wearing a turban, skull cap or applying a bindi has joined hands with what it castigates -- zealous jihad. Is that French jihad?
Islam baiters like Johann Hari could study the life of the Prophet to get a better understanding. But in this given situation, a moderate Muslim is pushed to the fringes. If he speaks up for the protestors, he would be branded as a fundamentalist and if he sides with the freedom of expression, he would be declared a heretic or more.
Fury and intolerance carry the mind away. True, intolerance is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one. In fact intolerance is the fret, fury and frenzy of the soul. How truly Shakespeare commented on anger and intolerance in Coriolanus: "Anger's my meat; I sup upon myself!"
The writer is a commentator on socio-religious issues
