Freedom of Speech and Revolution

I read a news of New Delhi dateline, 'a Bangladeshi author, who was forced to leave his motherland about five years ago because of edicts issued by fundamentalists, can now return home, thanks to the new government in Dhaka which seems to be open to the idea of freedom of expression.

Salam Azad, like controversial writer Taslima Nasreen was accused of being anti-religious following release of his novel "Bhanga Math" (Shattered Dream), in which he had compared the status of minority communities living in Bangladesh in the pre and post 1947 period.

Following publication of the book, fatwas were issued against the author-cum-human rights activist, forcing him to live exiled life in India since Aug 13, 2004. The previous Bangladesh government also disfavoured his return because of apparent pressure from the fundamentalists. However, with the Sheikh Hasina government taking over, he has got permission to return home.' (News from PTI).

I think this is a very positive step in order to preserve freedom of expression of an indivisual. Earlier, Nasreen was thrown out of her own country and India also failed to provide her political asylum. I wish she would also be called back like Azad.

I have not read any writings of Azad, now I have to. But I have read Nasreen. 'Lajja', 'Frech Lover', 'Amar Meyebela' (My Childhood). Lajja was definitely better than others. She was in controversy for criticising Islam, hippocratic society and false relationships. I appreciate her courage to speak up very personal experiences like she was repeatedly raped by her uncle in her childhood.

I recently attended a small debate at Kala Ghoda Festival based on the same topic of freedom of speech - 'Meri Juban Kisane Kati' (Who cut my tongue). One of the speakers, who is also my friend mooted a controversial point. He said poor and oppressed have been prevented from speaking or punished till death, since early period of human history.

But the process can be reversed if all poor come together and cut the tongue of the handful of ruling class. He justified the act and said this cannot be counted as violence but fight for equality.

That's great my friend! His statements created havoc among (sophisticated and Gandhian) audience that how can one justifies violence? Why not? That is known as a 'revolution', the friend said .