India and the Cartoon Controversy

[Guest guest]

The Indian angle to the cartoon controversy had its resonance on a

similar offense committed by the 90-year-old noted painter MF

Hussain, who portrayed the Hindu goddess of knowledge Saraswati in

nude. The right-wing Hindu organizations took up the issue,

criticizing the Muslims that while they protest the outrageous

cartoons, none condemn the painter who shelters under the cloak of

freedom of expression.

 

The liberals join the debate arguing that there is a conspiracy of

silence on taking positions on the Muslim issues. They say that most

are much more mindful of offending the Muslim sentiments than other

religions, for the simple reason that Muslims tend to protest more

loudly than others.

 

The Indian liberals accuse Muslims of not daring to stand up to the

extremists within their community. Seldom Muslim voices are heard

when their community resort to extremism, whereas the liberal Hindus

voices are heard loudest in condemnation of such acts by the Hindu

extremism. It points that Muslims silence paints the negative image

of the community and the Hindu zealots cash on these sentiments. It

feels that, if the liberal Muslim voices remain silent, Hindu

liberals may take up positions on the Muslims issues.

 

Within the liberal debate, some argue that those who think that their

sense of offence gives them the right to curb the freedom of

expression of others is a bit hyper. It's the case that equally

applies to all those who are protesting against the cartoons and to

those who are outraged with Hussain's paintings. The solution is not

to get angry but to ignore such things that they consider offensive.

 

The liberals do not want India to become a soft state and want the

government to establish the liberal principles -- standing up to the

rioters, arresting those who foment violence and never, ever giving

in to the blackmail.

 

Irrespective of the different murmurings over the cartoon

controversy, the Indian government has its position clearly stated by

sympathizing with the inflamed Muslim sentiments.

 

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh gave public statement expressing "deep

concern" over the publication of the offensive cartoons. He

said, "The Government of India is deeply concerned about the growing

controversy over the publication of cartoons on Prophet Mohammad that

offend the Muslim community worldwide and any such attempt that hurt

the religious sentiments of the people should be avoided."

 

Prime Minister's statement came in the wake of Shahi Imam of Jama

Masjid Syed Ahmed Bukhari's letter to him and to the Congress

President Sonia Gandhi, urging the Centre to express its resentment

to the Denmark Government and to strongly condemn such acts.

 

Manmohan Singh in his reply to the Shahi Imam reiterated

that "India's commitment to religious harmony and tolerance is

unshakeable and the Government is determined to preserve this."

 

He further added that the Government remained convinced that

diversity and plurality must be nurtured and it is essential for this

that every segment of society be sensitive to beliefs and sentiments

of other members of the society.

 

The Prime Minster clarified that India had conveyed its sense of

outrage both in New Delhi and in Copenhagen when the cartoons were

first published in October last. "We had suggested that apologies

should be sought and the Danish Government should obtain assurances

that the concerned newspapers would prevent recurrence of such

incidents," the Prime Minister said.

 

The Prime Minister, appealing to the Muslim community to show

restraint, said, "any action that cause hurt to the sentiments of any

group of our people is not acceptable to the government".

 

The government allowed demonstrations to be held across the country

and Muslims came out in large numbers to protest the offensive

publication. The protestors gave vent to their pent up anger by

burning the Danish flags and denouncing western imperialism. Even

though lot of anger was spilled on the streets the demonstrations by

and large remained peaceful.

 

The only bizarre thing in the whole episode was the announcement by a

Muslim minister from the province of Uttar Pradesh of a booty of 51

crore [~ US $11.5 million] rupees on the head of the Danish

cartoonist who drew the offensive cartoons. This provocative outburst

received all round condemnations that included Muslims as well.

 

Surprisingly, the Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray did not throw his

hat in this controversy and till now have not made a counter offer of

higher booty to get the head of the UP minister. If one may recall,

it was the Sena chief who had announced booty on Iran's spiritual

leader Ayatollah Khomeni for pronouncing fatwa against Salman Rushdie

for his novel Satanic verses. Perhaps Sena patriarch is too busy

sorting out the inner rumblings of his party or might be chary of

Indian law that could be the cause of his restrain.

 

As the debate goes on, no final judgment can be pronounced on a

sensitive issue like this. It should be imperative that the duty of

respecting the religious beliefs of others overrides the privilege of

freedom of expression. This is simply because human dignity and

respect should be the rationale for all our actions.

 

The liberal yet insensitive and inconsiderate passion of an artist to

produce a work that will inflict deep wounds in the hearts and souls

of millions of people across the globe can never be justified in the

innocent name of freedom of expression. The above position does not

stand true for the religion of Islam alone but undisputedly for all

other religions and traditions.

 

Such issues are above and beyond freedom of expression because in the

name of artistic expression they denigrate, dehumanize and deny the

historical reality of such traditions and beliefs.

 

Let us hope that, as a civilized society, our conscience will allow

us to recognize the fine line of demarcation and keep the balance

between expressing ourselves freely and at the same time avoid

hurting and belittling people for what they believe.

 

SOURCE: Despardes.com

URL: http://www.despardes.com/articles/feb06/20060219-cartoons-

india.asp