While there appears to be a lull in the debate on “intolerance”, two recent incidents in Karnataka pointing to curbs on freedom of expression — an attempt to disrupt a play and protests against a speech by an academic — have the community of artistes and writers worried.
On April 14, BJP activists at Sagar in Shivamogga district took exception to a speech delivered by linguist and writer Meti Mallikarjuna during Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations. In the speech he had questioned the rationale behind insisting on chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ at a time when some communities are still marginalised. BJP activists have submitted a memorandum to the police, demanding action against the writer for his “anti-national” statements and that sedition case be booked against him.
Three days later, on April 17, in Bengaluru, alleged representatives of right-wing groups tried to stop the staging of street play Achche Din Elli? on the premises of Ravindra Kalakshetra and later threatened the director, Shashikanth Yadahalli.
Incidents condemned
Terming both the incidents “attempts to suppress freedom of expression” and “unleashing cultural terrorism”, a group of writers and intellectuals in the State have condemned them. Besides seeking protection for Mr. Meti, they have urged the government to protect the freedom of expression.
Over 40 people, including writer K. Marulasiddappa, freedom fighter H.S. Doreswamy, former judge A.J. Sadashiva, writers K.Y. Narayanaswamy and S.G. Siddaramaiah, and theatre activist Shashidhara Adapa, have, in an open letter, called upon writers and creative personalities to continue their intellectual activity without succumbing to such threats.
‘A tool of protest’
The play Achche Din Elli? spoke of issues including “the politics around beef ban, using sedition law to suppress people’s voice, contempt of right-wing groups towards the Constitution”, said Mr. Yadahalli, who believes that street play is a tool of protest.
“Some people stood up in the midst of the play and asked us to stop the show. They even asked why Prime Minister Narendra Modi was being criticised. Members of the audience intervened and asked them to leave the venue. They returned after the play ended and threatened against staging the play elsewhere,” he said.
At Sagar, though Mr. Meti’s speech on April 14 was not interrupted, BJP workers, led by the former MLA Belur Gopalakrishna, later held protests against his speech. The protesters have demanded that the police take action against Mr. Meti for his “anti-national” statements, and set April 23 as the deadline.
“Talking about the futility of saying ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, and explaining the condition under which the marginalised and subaltern communities are living, have been construed as sedition,” Mr. Meti told The Hindu .
Legal opinion sought
Superintendent of Police Ravi Channannanavar has written to the Assistant Director, Prosecution, seeking legal opinion on the issue. So far no case has been booked against the writer.
Meanwhile, Mr. Meti, along with a few social activists, has submitted a memorandum to the Superintendent of Police stating that he had not made any remark against the law and that he was being “unnecessarily targeted”.
I do not have any political agenda. As a creative person, I have only analysed Ambedkar’s ideas.
Meti Mallikarjuna,linguist and writer
Theatre activists should join hands to condemn
the disruption of my play.
Shashikanth Yadahalli,director of ‘Achche Din Elli?’
Freedom of expression cannot be suppressed by fundamental forces.
Umashree,Minister of State for Kannada and Culture
