------------------------------------------------------------------------ * G * O * A * N * E * T **** C * L * A * S * S * I * F * I * E * D * S * ------------------------------------------------------------------------
Apartment for sale in Campal/Miramar area, Panaji, Goa. Spacious 3 bedroom flat (3BHK)available for sale in upscale area near Miramar beach Contact: goaengineer...@aol.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear all, This is with reference to the news reports that have appeared in this morning dailies that threaten to put our Constitutional rights of “Freedom of Expression” once again under attack. Activists of the right wing Hindu Orthodox Group the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) and the Sanatan Sanstha are threatening to carry out a series of protests and disrupt the Exhibition of one of Goa's pioneer art figures Dr Subodh Kerkar. All kinds of false, frivolous and baseless complaints have been filed against him and the Artist has also been receiving intimidating and threatening calls. Sadly, instead of taking action against such groups who wish to impose their own narrow sectarian views, the Police and the Government are pressurizing Dr Kerkar to close down his exhibition, in total disregard to the laws of the land and in utter contempt to even the Judgments laid down by the Honourable Courts on “Artistic Freedom”. In this context, it is relevant to note some of the observations made in the M.F Hussain Judgment that had exonerated the Country’s foremost Art legend from similar frivolous charges made by similar publicity-seeking groups some time back. In his substantial Judgment which was later upheld by the Supreme Court, Justice Kaul had opined: "A painter has his own perspective of looking at things and it cannot be the basis of initiating criminal proceedings against him," "In India, a new puritanism is being carried out in the name of cultural purity and a host of ignorant people are vandalizing art and pushing us towards a pre-renaissance era," the learned Judge also observed. Why is the present Government consistently treating these Right-wing groups with kid gloves? Why is no action being initiated against such elements that are publicly threatening our artists and cultural figures and are seeking to take India back into the dark ages? While the duty of the Government is to uphold the laws of the land, why is this Government caving in to pressure from radical groups? Is it because Digamber Kamat and Ravi Naik have no spine or are they too “Hindutva” activists in disguise? The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is a fringe group that does not represent the views of the Hindus and even if it does Secular Laws must hold supreme over religious diktats. It is also pertinent to note that Hindus have always decorated their Gods and Goddesses and have represented them in different shapes, figures and forms. Dr Kerkar has thus only taken this artistic tradition forward while the HJS is hell-bent on destroying the very essence and spirit of Hinduism and – slowly and steadily - everything that India represents. Can all those who support an Artist’s rights to Freedom of expression make some kind of a representation to the present Government and the Police on Dr Subodh Kerkar’s behalf? Can we stand up and be counted now? Regards Sandeep Heble ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more on this issue, follow the following links: http://tinyurl.com/rczgpy http://tinyurl.com/kkw9g2 http://tinyurl.com/mlo7ts
