Threatening dissenters

THERE is no democracy without dissent – this was the crux of an open letter written to PM Narendra Modi by about 50 renowned personalities, including historian Ramachandra Guha, filmmakers Mani Ratnam and Shyam Benegal, and vocalist Shubha Mudgal in late July. They had articulated their genuine concerns over the growing incidents of mob lynching and other hate crimes against minorities, barely two months after the BJP’s thumping win in the Lok Sabha elections. Now, they find themselves in the dock precisely for expressing dissent as an FIR has been registered against them on the order of a court in Muzaffarpur (Bihar). Sudhir Ojha, a local lawyer who projects himself as a patriot-cum-crusader and has a knack for embroiling VVIPs in litigation, has accused them of ‘tarnishing the nation’s image, undermining the PM’s impressive performance and supporting secessionist tendencies.’ These public figures, much respected in their respective fields, have been booked on charges as diverse as sedition, creating public nuisance and hurting religious feelings.

The drastic action underlines how the space for exercising one’s constitutional right of freedom of speech is shrinking in India. Ironically, these celebrities had faced opposition from their own peers soon after the open letter hit the headlines. As many as 61 newsmakers — more loyal than the king — had come out with a counter-statement against ‘selective outrage and false narratives’. Actor Kangana Ranaut, lyricist Prasoon Joshi, dancer Sonal Mansingh and others had dubbed members of the ‘rebel’ group as self-styled guardians and conscience-keepers.

The ever-rising intolerance is a stark reality which the powers that be have been brushing aside for too long. The fact that the National Crime Records Bureau has failed to release its reports for 2017 and 2018 suggests that the government is not keen on making inconvenient truths public. Brazen attempts to muzzle the voices of sanity and reason are symptomatic of a deep malaise. Those who are red-flagging heinous crimes are themselves being branded as law-breakers. Such victimisation poses a grave threat to democracy. Hopefully, the cases lodged at the behest of overzealous petitioners won’t deter right-minded citizens from highlighting the rot.