5 ms·

As fun as it is to think everyone thinks like americans... Does India have and promote the ideal of "Freedom of Expression"? Or is this just the US peanut gal

by Volpe 14y ago

As fun as it is to think everyone thinks like americans... Does India have and promote the ideal of "Freedom of Expression"? Or is this just the US peanut gallery giving their 2 cents on other peoples' culture?

rrrazdan 14y ago
Even if India doesn't have a it, the question really is, shouldn't India have it. "Freedom of Expression" is not an American/French/Western concept. Shouldn't it be a natural human right? In any case, its a fundamental right, enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Its not really a part of the culture, even in highly educated circles. Part of that has to do with the Indian apathy towards Humanities and pursuit of pragmatism over ideology.
- Volpe 14y ago
  > "Freedom of Expression" is not an American/French/Western concept. Shouldn't it be a natural human right? It is a distinctly "western" thought[1] (as is "Human Rights"[2]). I actually didn't know whether it had been imported into India, given india's rather "mixed" (east/west) history. The concept of 'natural human rights' is also a western concept, so no, I don't think we should continue to talk like our (western) way of thinking is the 'right' way, and everyone else is 'wrong'. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech#Origins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech#Origins [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights#Philosophy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights#Philosophy
  - Zak 14y ago
    The concept of natural human rights is, similar to some kinds of religious belief one of those belief systems that strongly implies people who disagree with it are wrong. Few people who believe in say... freedom of expression and modern democracy are going to accept that imprisoning or murdering one's political opponents is a cultural difference that should be respected, for example.
  - adityab 14y ago
    No, it is not. Wikipedia lists "western" examples because western canon is very well documented, and this documentation is reliable and extensive enough to quote from. My readings of Indian history have led me to accept that the freedom of thought and speech have existed, formally and legally, for at least a thousand years - particularly, read up on the times of Asoka's rule.
    - Volpe 14y ago
      Does that pre-date the (ancient) greeks? Plato and Aristotle had a lot to say about 'freedom'. When I say 'Western' I mean them, given our whole way of thinking (philosophy) and problem solving (scientific method) was defined by them. From my brief look, Hinduism and the Ancient greeks started talking about Freedom (and freedom of speech) at around the same time (~400BCE).
  - jagira 14y ago
    Freedom of speech is a generic concept. Also, long before Europe became civilized, Indian society (Hinduism) had freedom of speech [1]. [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akeA0EvLEbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akeA0EvLEbs
    - Volpe 14y ago
      Not Long before the ancient greeks though... Perhaps they were related? (i.e Alexander the Great)
  - easternmonk 14y ago
    It is not a western concept though the actual phrase in English might be a western term. Freedom of speech was ubiquitous feature of Hinduism.
  - brownbat 14y ago
    > I don't think we should continue to talk like our (western) way of thinking is the 'right' way, and everyone else is 'wrong'. Yes, there are arguments in the Western canon, but when Milton argues for freedom of expression in the Areopagitica, or Mill in On Liberty, they don't argue that you should support free speech because you're a Westerner. They don't make any special appeals to anyone's cultural situation. They make arguments that have universal application. When you employ reasoning to advocate a principle, it does not become a territorial principle. It becomes applicable pending counterargument from anyone. The argument that reasoning itself is a uniquely Western idea quickly becomes self-defeating. Anyone asserting anything has volunteered to follow certain logical rules of coherency, which have been derived in the West through observation, not proscription. Demanding that others be silent, while you alone can speak, tends towards absurdity regardless of the continent upon which you happen to stand.
    - Volpe 14y ago
      I didn't saying anything of the sort. But you dismantled that straw man rather deftly! Well Done! I was referring in particular to "Human Rights". There are a number of different ways to approach building a productive society. Human Rights are one approach, there are others. Both are rational.
bhntr3 14y ago
When I was in India, I found it interesting that the Indian concept of Freedom of Religion (which they've had off and on for much much longer than the US) is actually equality of religion in the eyes of the state rather than separation of church and state. So, different religions have different laws that apply to them. That's a very alien concept to Americans. Even Britain doesn't have a guarantee of freedom of speech like the US, particularly when it comes to hate speech. The American lens is a foggy one, even excluding the fact that the rights we guarantee our citizens aren't necessarily the rights we grant citizens of other nations. It's a good thing to keep in mind. But yes, India DOES promote the idea of freedom of expression and it's been a fundamental part of its culture for much longer than the United States has existed. Nobel prize winning economist Amartya Sen has a great book on the history of dissent in Indian history and how it's a cornerstone of India's culture and democracy: http://www.amazon.com/Argumentative-Indian-Writings-History-Identity/dp/031242602X http://www.amazon.com/Argumentative-Indian-Writings-History-...
- kamaal 14y ago
  Indian concept of religion is so much different than the west that it may come shock to you. And it doesn't stop at religion, culture has a very big part to play at it. Coming to law, Religion plays a role in the law too! Because its the cheapest and fastest way to get justice compared to the traditional courts, where it may take years and your whole savings will be wiped out before you get a judgement. For example Muslims have some thing called as Personal Law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_India_Muslim_Personal_Law_Board http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_India_Muslim_Personal_Law_B... , Which applies to many things like marriage and especially law dealing with personal issues. In the state of Haryana there are Khap panchayats(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khap http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khap) With such a large country. And thousands of languages, cultures etc. Such diversity in nearly every walk of life be it clothing, food, festivals etc. You can never say/do anything signification without disappointing few people.
- fakeer 14y ago
  >>different religions have different laws that apply to them That's incorrect and somewhat misleading. It's rather such as - certain parts of (minor subset) some civil laws or family laws come under respective personal laws based upon religion/tribe &c. Like Hindu Marriage Act, Hindi Code Bills, various succession acts &c. Remaining (most) part is a uniform civil code. However, it can be noted that in case of criminal matters - AFAIK - Indian constitution doesn't discriminate, in any manner, at least on paper. Politics - both religious and generic - is embedded to everything in India, even laws. There's a landmark Shah Bano case where Supreme Court of India overruled the verdict given by Muslims' holy book which was as interpreted by clerics which is often misleading as in any religions. The interesting part here was that the court was compelled to quote from their Holy book Quran in the verdict - an aayat (like some sort of support) - as it was a very sensitive matter.
shrikant 14y ago
Yep, India [in theory] has a constitutional right to freedom of expression. They're part of a larger set of fundamental rights.[1] [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_Rights_in_India#Right_to_freedom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_Rights_in_India#Rig...
easternmonk 14y ago
The first Amendment of Indian Constitution and American constitution talks about Freedom of Expression. However in American case it gives that right to individuals ensuring that state will never curtail it where as in case of India it puts "reasonable restrictions" on freedom of expression and right to property.
- pyre 14y ago
  Apparently protecting politicians and the rich from claims of corruption qualifies as a "reasonable restriction" on freedom of expression. [ The idea that poor people deserve to be able to speak their mind without going to jail is just a 'quaint American ideal.' ]

by Volpe 14y ago

rrrazdan 14y ago

Even if India doesn't have a it, the question really is, shouldn't India have it. "Freedom of Expression" is not an American/French/Western concept. Shouldn't it be a natural human right? In any case, its a fundamental right, enshrined in the Indian Constitution. Its not really a part of the culture, even in highly educated circles. Part of that has to do with the Indian apathy towards Humanities and pursuit of pragmatism over ideology.

Volpe 14y ago
> "Freedom of Expression" is not an American/French/Western concept. Shouldn't it be a natural human right? It is a distinctly "western" thought[1] (as is "Human Rights"[2]). I actually didn't know whether it had been imported into India, given india's rather "mixed" (east/west) history. The concept of 'natural human rights' is also a western concept, so no, I don't think we should continue to talk like our (western) way of thinking is the 'right' way, and everyone else is 'wrong'. [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech#Origins http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech#Origins [2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights#Philosophy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights#Philosophy
- Zak 14y ago
  The concept of natural human rights is, similar to some kinds of religious belief one of those belief systems that strongly implies people who disagree with it are wrong. Few people who believe in say... freedom of expression and modern democracy are going to accept that imprisoning or murdering one's political opponents is a cultural difference that should be respected, for example.
- adityab 14y ago
  No, it is not. Wikipedia lists "western" examples because western canon is very well documented, and this documentation is reliable and extensive enough to quote from. My readings of Indian history have led me to accept that the freedom of thought and speech have existed, formally and legally, for at least a thousand years - particularly, read up on the times of Asoka's rule.
  - Volpe 14y ago
    Does that pre-date the (ancient) greeks? Plato and Aristotle had a lot to say about 'freedom'. When I say 'Western' I mean them, given our whole way of thinking (philosophy) and problem solving (scientific method) was defined by them. From my brief look, Hinduism and the Ancient greeks started talking about Freedom (and freedom of speech) at around the same time (~400BCE).
- jagira 14y ago
  Freedom of speech is a generic concept. Also, long before Europe became civilized, Indian society (Hinduism) had freedom of speech [1]. [1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akeA0EvLEbs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akeA0EvLEbs
  - Volpe 14y ago
    Not Long before the ancient greeks though... Perhaps they were related? (i.e Alexander the Great)
- easternmonk 14y ago
  It is not a western concept though the actual phrase in English might be a western term. Freedom of speech was ubiquitous feature of Hinduism.
- brownbat 14y ago
  > I don't think we should continue to talk like our (western) way of thinking is the 'right' way, and everyone else is 'wrong'. Yes, there are arguments in the Western canon, but when Milton argues for freedom of expression in the Areopagitica, or Mill in On Liberty, they don't argue that you should support free speech because you're a Westerner. They don't make any special appeals to anyone's cultural situation. They make arguments that have universal application. When you employ reasoning to advocate a principle, it does not become a territorial principle. It becomes applicable pending counterargument from anyone. The argument that reasoning itself is a uniquely Western idea quickly becomes self-defeating. Anyone asserting anything has volunteered to follow certain logical rules of coherency, which have been derived in the West through observation, not proscription. Demanding that others be silent, while you alone can speak, tends towards absurdity regardless of the continent upon which you happen to stand.
  - Volpe 14y ago
    I didn't saying anything of the sort. But you dismantled that straw man rather deftly! Well Done! I was referring in particular to "Human Rights". There are a number of different ways to approach building a productive society. Human Rights are one approach, there are others. Both are rational.

bhntr3 14y ago

When I was in India, I found it interesting that the Indian concept of Freedom of Religion (which they've had off and on for much much longer than the US) is actually equality of religion in the eyes of the state rather than separation of church and state. So, different religions have different laws that apply to them. That's a very alien concept to Americans. Even Britain doesn't have a guarantee of freedom of speech like the US, particularly when it comes to hate speech. The American lens is a foggy one, even excluding the fact that the rights we guarantee our citizens aren't necessarily the rights we grant citizens of other nations. It's a good thing to keep in mind. But yes, India DOES promote the idea of freedom of expression and it's been a fundamental part of its culture for much longer than the United States has existed. Nobel prize winning economist Amartya Sen has a great book on the history of dissent in Indian history and how it's a cornerstone of India's culture and democracy: http://www.amazon.com/Argumentative-Indian-Writings-History-Identity/dp/031242602X http://www.amazon.com/Argumentative-Indian-Writings-History-...

kamaal 14y ago
Indian concept of religion is so much different than the west that it may come shock to you. And it doesn't stop at religion, culture has a very big part to play at it. Coming to law, Religion plays a role in the law too! Because its the cheapest and fastest way to get justice compared to the traditional courts, where it may take years and your whole savings will be wiped out before you get a judgement. For example Muslims have some thing called as Personal Law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_India_Muslim_Personal_Law_Board http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_India_Muslim_Personal_Law_B... , Which applies to many things like marriage and especially law dealing with personal issues. In the state of Haryana there are Khap panchayats(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khap http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khap) With such a large country. And thousands of languages, cultures etc. Such diversity in nearly every walk of life be it clothing, food, festivals etc. You can never say/do anything signification without disappointing few people.
fakeer 14y ago
>>different religions have different laws that apply to them That's incorrect and somewhat misleading. It's rather such as - certain parts of (minor subset) some civil laws or family laws come under respective personal laws based upon religion/tribe &c. Like Hindu Marriage Act, Hindi Code Bills, various succession acts &c. Remaining (most) part is a uniform civil code. However, it can be noted that in case of criminal matters - AFAIK - Indian constitution doesn't discriminate, in any manner, at least on paper. Politics - both religious and generic - is embedded to everything in India, even laws. There's a landmark Shah Bano case where Supreme Court of India overruled the verdict given by Muslims' holy book which was as interpreted by clerics which is often misleading as in any religions. The interesting part here was that the court was compelled to quote from their Holy book Quran in the verdict - an aayat (like some sort of support) - as it was a very sensitive matter.

shrikant 14y ago

Yep, India [in theory] has a constitutional right to freedom of expression. They're part of a larger set of fundamental rights.[1] [1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_Rights_in_India#Right_to_freedom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_Rights_in_India#Rig...

easternmonk 14y ago

The first Amendment of Indian Constitution and American constitution talks about Freedom of Expression. However in American case it gives that right to individuals ensuring that state will never curtail it where as in case of India it puts "reasonable restrictions" on freedom of expression and right to property.

pyre 14y ago
Apparently protecting politicians and the rich from claims of corruption qualifies as a "reasonable restriction" on freedom of expression. [ The idea that poor people deserve to be able to speak their mind without going to jail is just a 'quaint American ideal.' ]