“Jaywalking or Freedom of Expression"

  Its Monday. I am walking on pavement in the streets of Pune, and still can feel the heat of Death of Bala Saheb Thackeray. “HINDU WRIDAYSAMRAT” was written in bold letters, something in Marathi, which I cannot understand , but can make out, was a message to Hindus about the sad demise of the leader. Well Interestingly, Pune has more Raj Thackeray than Bala Saheb Thackeray effect, but still the respect do exists for the leader who is being considered the protagonist of Hindutva and the only saviour of the ideology.

I don’t know what the Political analysts may say, whether it was Power or love/gratitude for the leader, the demise of Bala Saheb was taken as a sad loss by every fraternity. They say they have lost a age from Indian Politics. Many gathered at Shivaji Park to bid adieu to their beloved leader, it was a amazing footage to see Raj and Uddhav being together and accepting condolences.

The script was good and well written till this day, when finally  Mumbai Police arrested two girls for writing negative post on Bala Saheb and Sena activists were fast enough to lodge a complaint and astonishingly Mumbai Police was more fast enough to respond. Gosh!We are not addicted for such fast response. Then started the reaction. Lot of Hue and Cry was made by Facebook/Twitter activists and few important questions raised by them :-

First being the charge on the girls, section 66 A 505(2) IT act, said to be draconian and can make your life hell by the slightest freedom of expression on net which  said to be intentionally hurt the sentiments of any community. At the same time, Kapil Sibal, the face of law and administration of UPA, accepted there is a grave chance that 66 A can be wrongly used by Police because of its interpretations. The question which now becomes implicit and clear is wether the law is clear or its just a contradiction of the “Freedom of Expression” in article 19,20,21,22, which if done will be only big  reason of many grave mistakes.

Well, as not being a legal expert, it would not be right for me to comment on IT act, 66 A, or the laws laid by our constitution, but it would be at least to my concern, if I have to ask a lawyer before posting something in any social networking site. We are the biggest democracy after US and India is being given respect for being the oldest follower of the rules of democracy. We struggled hard from Britishers to end autocracy.  It’s the duty of the government and we the Intellectual think tank of India to understand that such rules and policies should not effect the Freedom of Expression which is our fundamental right. Saying So, its important for Bloggers like us to comment and not provoke any community intentionally. We have to make a balance between the Rights and Duties given to us.