'DONT SUPRESS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION'

'Don't suppress freedom of expression'
While a controversial audio-CD has once again brought out in the public domain the issue of freedom of artistic expression and the people's violent reaction to it, prominent citizens from a cross section of society feel censorship will make art meaningless, but point out that artistes and people have to exercise self-restraint in creating works of art or reacting to stray cases of misuse of free expression. Stating that freedom of expression is guaranteed in the Constitution of India, various personalities felt that an artist or his work is a mirror to the society and it should reflect its image without fear or favour, but without hurting the people's sentiments. Literary critic Kiran Budkuley urges self restraint by every creative artist, be it a writer or sculptor, and says they should not have vested interest to settle scores. "There are two important issues, the artist's conscience and the society's sense of propriety. What is required is a healthy balance between art and this expression and the society and its response to it," she said, adding that law enforcing authorities have to be simultaneously vigilant and sensitive. Verna-based businessman Irineu Gonsalves, who claims to have listened to the controversial audio CD, blames the key players on both sides. "The content is derogatory and may affect people's faith in religion. If somebody is doing wrong, there are forums to deal with the issue," he said. But he condemned the violence as a reaction. "The stoning of Calvert Gonsalves' house is not good for Goa. What could have been localized at the village level has been blown out of proportions," he said. Satish Sonak, a lawyer, echoed similar views. "Laws are available to handle the issue. Why should people usurp the court's jurisdiction and take law in their own hands?" he questioned. Conceding that their grievances may be genuine, he added that a mob should not decide what is right or wrong. Most are against imposition of censorship to curb misuse of freedom of expression. Says Premanand Lotlikar, a Colva-based tiatrist, "Tiatr has served as a mirror of Goan society. If censorship is brought in to gag tiatrists, one useful platform which highlights aam admi's reaction to different issues in society will be closed." However, he said that the recent incident should not be linked to the tiatr world. "Tiatrist have never crossed the limits, and he (Calvert Gonsalves) is not a tiatrist, though he may have engaged tiatrists to sing for his audio project." Pointing out that there are laws to tackle offenders, Tomazinho Cardozo, president of Tiatr Academy Goa, said, "Freedom of expression should not be suppressed, but all citizens have rights as well as duties to observe. You can criticize a political or social leader's functioning, but not rake up his personal life." While pointing out that writers, painters, filmmakers and other artistes source material from the society around them, Sahitya Akademy award winning writer and social activist N Shivdas, said, "A writer is the product of the society and none can prevent him from exposing reality. If the artist's work is false and defamatory, then people have a right to agitate."