Though the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution,this freedom does not give us the right to offend people’s sensitivities, particularly religious sensibilities. Why depicted the prophet which is prohibited in Islam. In a similar manner, no one has the right to criticise or comment on religious beliefs of any kind, including those of Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism or Buddhism.We should be aware of our limits and should know where we draw line when using social media to express ourselves.
Freedom of Speech is not absolute, and it shouldn’t be used as a weapon to abuse others in the name of religion,caste and other sensitive issues.It’s also a punishible offence under Indian Penal Code(IPC) and Information Technology(IT) Act. Many people advise ignoring websites if their content has the potential to cause social unrest or communal disturbance. They also advise not reading or watching offensive books or films. Is it really so simple in India, where there are so many different cultures, religions, and traditions? Pure free speech aims to disrupt public order, divide communities, and have an immediate negative impact on national integrity. Police sometimes give in to political pressures despite the difficulty of distinguishing between pure free speech and offensive commments or statements.There is a thin line between pure free speech and offensive comments.However, we also agree that while something may be offensive to one person, it may not be offensive to another.
Today’s increasingly polarized society and biassed media contribute to an increase in religious intolerance among ordinary people, and political parties are desperate to capitalise on controversial and emotional issues.
