Democracy vs. anti-national

Yesterday's event @JNU has raised one very issue the use of "Democratic Freedom" as citizens of largest democracy of the world, we should also not ignore the fact that to protect this democratic freedom is also the our responsibility. We cannot ignore the fact that Afzal Guru was a terrorist and his justice has been done accordingly in preview of the Indian Constitution. Like any other person he has also been provided ample time and resources to defend himself at the court (frankly speaking he has been given more resources than a common man in India has access to) making a Martyr out of him is a direct mockery of our courts and justice system. The people who had the audacity of organisation of such an event had clearly shown they don't respect the constitution int he name of democratic freedom given to them by the same constitution. Comparison of Afzal Guru and Nathuram Godse is as absurd as the Event @JNU, Nathuram's Crime can be considered a crime of passion, for his hatred towards Gandhi Ji, his act can be considered a Criminal act not anti national for like every Indian he would have loved his country (his ideology may be different) he had acted towards a person not our country. His justice has been done in the exact manner in which any other citizen case i.e as per the Laws defined by the constitution of India. On the other hand Afzal Guru has acted against the Country and its citizens.

In any form of governance other than dictatorship or tyranny I feel that news worthy and thought provoking documentaries are acceptable and mandatory. The real purpose isn't to rile up sentiments to cause any disruption or disturbance to the running of the country nor its economy to become a national security issue. I feel that such documentaries are necessary since chastisment is a form of open audit on the current government's performance and creates an opening for issues to be resolved through necessary changes or implementations. It is for the better good since the documentary is based on proven facts. There is nothing anti-national or putting the country at risk here. However, the host should do enough research to make the documentary approved. It should not be bias or carelessly construed to mislead the mass.

This is a post I will have to read again while I also learn more about your country. It is difficult for me even to understand indian movies. As for freedom of speech, I´m for it unless they help create violence. The line is SO thin!

I tend to agree with this not being telecast or aired. Comparing Godse and Afzal for "anti national" is inappropriate because of the fact that back then, there were no terrorists and the term was not known (at least in the Indian Context). He was an assassin and let it be that way. Yes, I tend to agree with what Godse did because almost everyone who knows those days, and has a brain and is not so inclined to what they preach - realizes that Gandhi had lost it. He had to go, just that the way was wrong. What Afzal did, was blatant act of terrorism - and it did indicate the loopholes in the security of one of the Nation's most secured zones - the Parliament. Now, if you relate, the breach of insecurity simply indicates the inefficiency of our Agents, Intelligence and also the Security Cover. Also note that on the Manifesto of BJP during the general elections, they did have a point to scrape off the J&K Article (this too can be a playing factor). I do not know what that documentary contains, but reading this discussion only, I do realize that if this documentary goes on air in such times, it can spread more bad than do any good. Right now, India is not in need of such documentaries - mostly because the irrationals are more at large and they will leave no stone unturned to make use of this documentary to suite their needs and spread more unhealthiness. Right now,we even dont seem to have a freedom to speech even though we are only speaking our inner fears with no other intentions (recall Aamir Khan controversy - which I state again, is a fear that many Muslim brothers and even a few Hindus in India suffer from at this moment).

Do you mean that the exaggerated things saying that the students were anti-national?

If any thing comes cross to national security that is obvious anti national. In democracy we get more freedom to criticize the govt and judiciary. But misusing has no explanations.

Does the world not know enough about him? (Godse) Does it? How much do we know? I wonder how he is used as an epitome of anti-nationalism for a one-off act. Or if Gandhiji was the nation.

If their actions lead to riots and more people die, then that is a big problem. India has many problems mainly due to corruption and rich-poor gap, the last thing you want is to have a nationwide rioting.

I hope the students understand what they are doing.

I'm not sure I understand the distinction. But don't like the idea of supporting terrorists. In America, naive students (and others) often support criminals as a way of objecting to what they perceive as (or are falsely led by the media to believe is) police brutality.

Lol…. I was wondering if you had brought up this topic on to debate or not and VOILA…there you are. I went through all the comments and my you do know how to stir up a real discussion. It was all very informative. So its my turn now….eh? I agree with @mkj on stereotyping everyone on the basis of the wrong done by some of them. BUT I do not condone rape or violence of any kind AT ALL. Defense or not they should be punished severely. And those who try to cover it up should be punished DOUBLY harsh because the cover-up is ALWAYS worse than the crime. By doing that they are supporting the criminals and promoting the crime. This only encourages the wrongdoers. They become fearless and braver when going to repeat the crime since they know they had solid back from the sleuths of the defense of the country itself. So, why fear anyone? I pity the women and children of such personnel who have to actually live with such low lives. I sympathize with the victims and am disgusted even ashamed by those who look down upon them for the horror done against them. This brings me to the rights of women. Well the law states many things. But what use are they when no one implements it or use it? The law in such case is just that STATEMENT. I mean look around yourself just for a moment and tell me how many girls took their parents to court for the right on father’s property? How many women suffering from domestic violence raised her voice and got justice? And also NOTE that how many of them were NOT looked down upon for fighting for their rights? When a women walks down this road our OWN society put them under the category of “ILL-REPUTE”. We warn our daughters and women to stay away from them and tell them that what they are doing is wrong. WHAT THE HELL? Should I continue on? Do you remember @Vandana when you brought up that news about a mob stripping and beating a foreign girl? It happened not even maybe 12 days after we celebrated our REPUBLIC DAY. The day when every INDIAN feels proud and boastful of their nationality and of their Nation. The day we INDIANS so enthusiastically wait for the PARADE to commence. A day to feel proud of our achievements, to honour the brave hearts, to witness the DIVERSITY and to celebrate it all. Lol….. It all felt as a joke when you reported that incident here on myLot. I felt like the lowest of low for just being an INDIAN. I never felt more insecure and unsafe at that moment. As a daughter of this Nation itself, I felt so very ashamed and disgusted when I read that my OWN BROTHERS, FATHERS, FRIENDS and all just SHED their DIGNITIES behind and committed such atrocious act. The same people who go to the HOLY SHRINES and BOW their HEADS in front of the GODDESS they call their MOTHER and WORSHIP her. The same people who believe that every girl is an EMBODIMENT of the GODDESS LAKSHMI….. lol…. Do they even realize that they just VIOLATED the same MOTHER? They SLAPPED their OWN IDOL in her face and SPIT on her. SHAME ON YOU REALLY….. How do you even look at yourself in the mirror? And I assure YOU all that those who committed the crime would have turned around and had bowed their heads again in front of the GODDESS WITHOUT AN OUNCE of REGRET or SHAME.