Conflict between Freedom of Expression and Religion in India—A Case Study

Amit Singh

doi:10.3390/socsci7070108

Abstract

The tussle between freedom of expression and religious intolerance is intensely manifested in Indian society where the State, through censoring of books, movies and other forms of critical expression, victimizes writers, film directors, and academics in order to appease Hindu religious-nationalist and Muslim fundamentalist groups. Against this background, this study explores some of the perceptions of Hindu and Muslim graduate students on the conflict between freedom of expression and religious intolerance in India. Conceptually, the author approaches the tussle between freedom of expression and religion by applying a contextual approach of secular-multiculturalism. This study applies qualitative research methods; specifically in-depth interviews, desk research, and narrative analysis. The findings of this study help demonstrate how to manage conflict between freedom of expression and religion in Indian society, while exploring concepts of Western secularism and the need to contextualize the right to freedom of expression.

Highlights

Ancient India is known for its skepticism towards religion and its toleration to opposing views (Sen 2005; Upadhyaya 2009), the alarming rise of Hindu religious nationalism and Islamic fundamentalism, and increasing conflict between freedom of expression and religion, have been well noted by both academic (Thapar 2015) and public intellectuals (Sorabjee 2018; Dhavan 2008).Conflict between freedom of expression and religion in India is well known
Contextual Secularism In Indian society, tension always lingers among multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-linguistic communities; in order to respect religious plurality, to control interreligious violence, and to protect communal harmony; the secular Indian state justifies limiting the freedom of expression (Balsekar 2014; Parekh 2006; Bhargava 2006)
This study has demonstrated that compromises from secular and non-secular citizens are required for a peaceful multicultural society, in an Indian context

Summary

Introduction

Ancient India is known for its skepticism towards religion and its toleration to opposing views (Sen 2005; Upadhyaya 2009), the alarming rise of Hindu religious nationalism and Islamic fundamentalism, and increasing conflict between freedom of expression and religion, have been well noted by both academic (Thapar 2015) and public intellectuals (Sorabjee 2018; Dhavan 2008).Conflict between freedom of expression and religion in India is well known. Ancient India is known for its skepticism towards religion and its toleration to opposing views (Sen 2005; Upadhyaya 2009), the alarming rise of Hindu religious nationalism and Islamic fundamentalism, and increasing conflict between freedom of expression and religion, have been well noted by both academic (Thapar 2015) and public intellectuals (Sorabjee 2018; Dhavan 2008). The censoring of books and films by the State, and the victimization of writers, film directors, and academics by Muslim fundamentalist and Hindu religious-nationalist groups are well noted. In this context, the Indian Constitution empowers media and free thinkers, and those who are religiously offended. Groups, censorship, secularism in India 2006; Frøystad.

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Discussion

Conclusion