In our existence as a nation, there have been numerous low points as far as civil liberties are concerned (“What it means to be independent”, Aug.15). This year, for instance, we saw the “anti-national” tag being used on those who were critical of the ruling dispensation, a sly tactic to divert attention from the merits of their arguments and to open up a trivial debate on their patriotic values. It was used as a means to threaten their freedom of expression. All stakeholders of our democracy must take cues from our history to understand the true nature and spirit of our nationalism.
Pravish Sainath,
Chennai
Why should there be tags to nationalism? Nationalism is a complete entity by itself. I feel that the writer wanted to draw parallels between JNU student leader Kanhaiya Kumar and Lokmanya Tilak and Mahatma Gandhi. We have got the complete freedom to choose our government as well as the freedom to express our views. Derogatory expressions that are dangerous to our sovereignty should not be propagated under the guise of the freedom of expression.
Tanvi Bhagat,
Kolkata
