Letters to the editor: Plots and stratagems

Ban happy

THIS refers to the editorial, ‘Shame’ (IE, March 12). The government restrained the telecast of the documentary as it felt that it would damage India’s image abroad. But that very logic has worked against it. India is now seen as a country where freedom of speech and expression is restricted. Every society has criminals. Trying to sweep them under the carpet is no solution. In the age of the internet, half the world has already seen the documentary. The half that was not aware of it has now taken notice, after we shouted about a ban, and wants to watch it. The world will not look askance at us because of the lack of women’s safety; it will mock us for what we are doing in the name of women’s security. The Indian government needs to grow up,
stop treating people as gullible and stupid.
— Ashok Goswami
Mumbai

THE “banning” mentality has taken very deep root in Indian society. All sorts of proscriptions are announced in the name of public order, morality and national interest. The executive has continually used the shield of maintaining law and order to gag voices and actions. The voices of reason that warn against the dangers of this mentality have been drowned out by a fear psychosis. How much longer are the citizens of a democracy ready to tolerate such a dictatorial mindset?
— Nivedita Dwivedi
Mumbai