Suppressing Free Speech

We still haven't learned any lessons have we ....

Sir Salman Rushdie Speaking

 

.... this is obvious after last weekends attempted murder of Indian born author Salman Rushdie, when he was stabbed several times on a stage at an event in New York state.

Backdoor Blasphemy Laws

We are told by politicians, especially those on the left, that the arrival by back-door immigration (arranged marriages, or illegal immigrant/asylum seekers, not skilled immigration), hasn't done anything but enhance 'multicultural' Britain ...

European Civilisation Threatened?

...  however many of the rest of us, fear that the damage being done to the cohesion of this country (and Europe), is pretty well terminal.

The Assassin’s Veto

Did you know that in France, actress Brigitte Bardot has been convicted five times of incitement to racial hatred?

Brigitte Bardot.... Animal Lover.

The reason? Well because as a well known animal lover, she complains about halal slaughter methods.

False Idols

When a Glasgow shopkeeper was murdered in cold blood in his tobacconists, by Sunni Muslim Tanveer Ahmed from Bradford, because he was from the 'wrong' Islamic sect, his killer was rightly sentenced to a long stretch in prison.

Face Of A Cowardly Murderer .....

But apparently he is considered to many in Pakistan, to be a hero and warrior, for stabbing an unsuspecting and unarmed man to death in cold blood.

India's Salman Rushdie Moment

We often think of Hinduism (as opposed to Hindu Nationalists), as a peaceable religion, except where it clashes with Islam (a trait which it shares with every other religion which bumps up against Islam), so its with some surprise to find that a book written by an American scholar, Wendy Doniger, has elicited a response from Hindu's that reminds one very much of the treatment of Salman Rushdie for writing his book 'The Satanic Verses'.

Her book, 'The Hindus: An Alternative History', published by Penguin Books in India, has attracted much criticism, because according to the complainants, the book 'is insulting to Hindus', containing what they describe as "heresies".  Some of which meant that "She denounced the Hindu Gods and freedom fighters of India", as well as containing some factual errors.

The case went to court, under another of India's archaic laws, that makes it a 'criminal' rather than a 'civil offence', to publish a book that offends any Hindu .... much like the Muslim view that anything that offends them is to be condemned via a Fatwa (religious ban).

A Declaration Of 'No Free Speech'?

 
And guess what, the threat of a court case running over many years has allegedly (they haven't officially confirmed the climbdown), led to Penguin Books in India to agree with the complainants, and to recall and destroy all remaining copies of the book - an act of self censorship, which has profound implications for freedom of speech in India.

However, many Indians have been quick to realise this implication, and the decision of Penguin India to bow to religious groups pressure, and withdraw the book, has brought criticism .... Indian cabinet minister Jairam Ramesh told the Press Trust of India the decision was "atrocious", adding the book was "not blasphemous by any means". Well known Indian Historian Ramachandra Guha called the news "deeply disappointing. The answer to a book one doesn't like is another book, not a ban, or legal action, or physical intimidation," ... and that's the difference between India and its neighbour and enemy.

In India there is a fear and recognition that some religious groups are stifling free speech and artistic expression ..... nearly last word to Doniger herself  "The true villain of this piece  ... is a law that jeopardises the physical safety of any publisher, no matter how ludicrous the accusation brought against a book."

This story has escalated since I wrote this earlier in the month ..... so it may have legs.
 

Wafa Sultan Tells It Like It Is!

Wafa Sultan is a very brave woman, although living in the US gives her a fighting chance of surviving her views of Islam and its followers .......

She considers that Islam is undergoing "a battle between modernity and barbarism which Islam will lose."

"Free Speech" Not A UN Concern Anymore

When the UN was set up by civilised nations, it included in its areas of interest, the right of "free speech" via the Universal Declaration of Human Rights ....

Declaration Of Human Rights

 .... which stated 60 years ago, that "a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief is the highest aspiration of the common people"... this was to be reported on by a UN "Rapporteur."

Two Sets of Fascists

The Pakistan National Assembly, that well known home of tolerance and liberal secular values, has decided that it has the right as an Islamic organisation to pronounce on what a non Muslim government does or doesn’t do.

Religious Affairs Minister "suicide bombing
is justified,"

Salman Rushdie, the author of the "Satanic Verses" a non Muslim, or rather an ex Muslim (An apostate, which in Islam is enough for a death verdict, never mind writing a book which may have upset someone!), has been awarded a knighthood (for what, I have no idea whatsoever, but there you are), by the UK government.