Date:03/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/03/stories/2006060317560200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Demand for ban on films sends disturbing signals

Many of our readers say while anything blasphemous about any faith should be condemned, works of fiction should not be banned in a democracy.

Ban uncalled for

Tolerance levels are coming down among followers of all faiths. Fundamentalists are becoming more visible and vocal.

In a free country, there can be no excuses for banning books or films just because some sections find them objectionable. They need not read such books or see those movies. The law allows for action against anything likely to create disharmony.

A. Krishnaswamy,

Basavanagudi

Creativity stifled

The controversy over The Da Vinci Code raises the important question of freedom of expression in a liberal democracy. Freedom in any art form is likely to anger religious fundamentalists. Art is a creative process and artists do not conform to established faiths or ideologies. We Indians tend to be sensitive in matters of faith. Creative people should come together to protest any throttling of creative expression.

Jacob Abraham,

Dodda Bommasandra

Right attitude

We read in your newspaper about the group of clergy who watched the first show of The Da Vinci Code and remarked that it was a work of imagination and their faith was stronger. This is the right attitude to take whenever established faith is questioned in a work of creative expression.

There have been cases of certain sections agitating against films and books, even before they are released under the impression that they make fun of their faith.

Many such protesters don't even want to see the film or read the book in question.

Sudha Nagaraj,

Malleswaram

State shows the way

The State Government has done well to allow screening of The Da Vinci Code unlike some neighbouring States that had banned the film's screening. People of all faiths should be mature and have enough strength to realise a work of fiction, whether book or movie, is not going to undermine their faith. We do have sections ideologically opposed to religion in any form and that has not reduced attendance at places of worship.

M. Faziuddin,

Shivajinagar

It's fiction

Only books or films that provoke and incite communal hatred need to be banned; there have been memorable films about the Partition that depicted, with sensitivity, the turmoil the two communities went through.

While anything downright blasphemous about any faith should be condemned, works of pure fiction need not be banned; it is against the spirit of democracy.

D.S. Manjunath,

R.T. Nagar

Fundamentalist act

In the 21st Century, religion can only be a personal faith; a secular State cannot intervene in matters of religion any more. Fundamentalism has many faces and demanding a ban on works of creative expression is one such face.

People with creative talents are invariably anti-establishment and are opposed to rigid religious dogma. They have the right to free expression in a democracy.

Joshua S,

Langford Road

Is it democratic?

While nobody should be insensitive to the feelings of those who are deeply religious, works of fiction need to be tolerated in a free society.

We are one of the few countries that have a dynamic, thriving, and perhaps chaotic democracy. Freedom of expression, within boundaries of decency, ought to prevail in any democracy, and we are supposed to be one.

Karen Anand,

Austin Town

NEXT WEEK: The youth used to be most influenced by movies, especially those of the Bollywood school, till recently. Now "youth icons" are not necessarily film stars. Is this an encouraging and healthy trend and can it be sustained? Readers are invited to send their views to Point-Blank, 19 and 21, Bhagwan Mahaveer Road, Bangalore 560001 or email bglreflections@thehindu.co.in

Basavanagudi