Shashi Tharoor is in the eye of a storm again, this time for criticizing the foreign policy of Nehru. He seems to have backed down and in the time-honoured way of politicians has taken refuge behind the excuse of having been 'misquoted'.
In the first place, I agree that Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi etc are pivotal figures in India's history. This does not mean that they were perfect, they were after all human. So why are we so intolerant about any criticism against these people? The Congress keeps harping about being a 'secular' party and about the tolerance of India. Why is it so intolerant about comments against its top leadership (erstwhile or current)? Gautama Buddha is supposed to have told his disciples not to accept his teachings blindly but to question and find out the truth for themselves. Are today's politicians so great that they are beyond reproach?
The Constitution gives every Indian the right to freedom of speech. What is the use of this if it is not implemented in spirit? Remember Voltaire's saying to an adversary - "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend till my death your right to say it." Where is such spirit in 'the world's largest democracy'?
I was surprised when Tharoor joined the Congress. He does not seem to be a very big fan of Nehru and Indira Gandhi as such. Read his The Great Indian Novel (spoiler warning). It is a modern take on the Mahabharata with political figures taking on the roles of the Mahabharata characters. It is quite an interesting read. Indira Gandhi is in Duryodhana's role and Nehru is the blind king Dhritarashtra. So I was surprised when he joined the Congress. Being in the Congress and in the government he might be expected to show some restraint but no one can curtail his right to free speech.
In the first place, I agree that Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi etc are pivotal figures in India's history. This does not mean that they were perfect, they were after all human. So why are we so intolerant about any criticism against these people? The Congress keeps harping about being a 'secular' party and about the tolerance of India. Why is it so intolerant about comments against its top leadership (erstwhile or current)? Gautama Buddha is supposed to have told his disciples not to accept his teachings blindly but to question and find out the truth for themselves. Are today's politicians so great that they are beyond reproach?
The Constitution gives every Indian the right to freedom of speech. What is the use of this if it is not implemented in spirit? Remember Voltaire's saying to an adversary - "I may not agree with what you say but I will defend till my death your right to say it." Where is such spirit in 'the world's largest democracy'?
I was surprised when Tharoor joined the Congress. He does not seem to be a very big fan of Nehru and Indira Gandhi as such. Read his The Great Indian Novel (spoiler warning). It is a modern take on the Mahabharata with political figures taking on the roles of the Mahabharata characters. It is quite an interesting read. Indira Gandhi is in Duryodhana's role and Nehru is the blind king Dhritarashtra. So I was surprised when he joined the Congress. Being in the Congress and in the government he might be expected to show some restraint but no one can curtail his right to free speech.
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