For better or verse

On February 14, it will be exactly 20 years since Iran’s religious leader (late) Ayatollah Khomeini pronounced a fatwa against Salman Rushdie’s book The Satanic Verses on the charges of insulting Islam with his novel. From book-burnings to violent riots, it raised a huge question mark as to how free the creative medium really was. DNA asks some wordsmiths what they think about the thin line between freedom of expression and slander…

Javed Akhtar, lyricist/author
I will confess, I never managed to read The Satanic Verses completely. After 40 odd pages, I just did not find it interesting enough. The questions that come along with issues about freedom of expression are so ambiguous in themselves. Is there ever any freedom that comes with no boundaries at all? There are certain limits, certain holes that are barred.

Suhel Seth, ad man
I vividly recall the incident when I had to smuggle in Rushdie’s book from abroad amidst all the controversies that were raging across the world. The customs officers at the Delhi airport were too illiterate that time to realise that indeed it was Rushdie’s book, and today, I can honestly say it has been one of the most interesting reads of my life. No one really has the freedom to impinge upon someone’s creativity, and I would term it utterly ridiculous!

Prasoon Joshi, lyricist
While people might say that freedom is a must for creative individuals, I say there definitely should be some respect for the society we live in. Creativity cannot survive without some kind of freedom, but freedom comes with responsibility, and it should not be misused.