I choose this platform to express my views on freedom of speech, and some of you choose this same platform to gain more knowledge of what this is. What a coincidence to start with, isn’t it? In fact, here, I can write whatever I feel, and it will stay as is for you to read whenever you click on it. If you are not okay with it then you have all the right to argue with me. Similarly, you can also write an article on something that excites you, and some other random person will express their views on it. This is how freedom of speech works.
Our generation has the immense comfort of speaking our minds out and posting the same on digital media. But, how many of us respect this privilege that we have, to listen, speak, write, and film what we love?
There are many countries across the world where it is difficult to express your views. Even India had gone through this phase when an emergency was imposed between 1975 and 1977. In those 21 months, people ahd lost their right to say what they wanted to. Strict rules were imposed on meetings and social gatherings. Silence took over the entire country. Once the government lifted the emergency, people felt the need to celebrate. That is what freedom makes you feel.
If we jump back 20 years, how often do you think we talked about climate change in our society? It would be once in a blue moon. But now, we hear about it everywhere. I bought up this point to prove that we only make noise when something is in a critical stage, and the same goes for freedom of speech. We had so many debates on freedom of speech in India before, but this has become a huge issue in the last 5 to 6 years.
Looking at the current scenario, I feel that our country is moving in the wrong direction, regarding our freedom of speech. There are many incidents where people’s voices have been suppressed. We are running campaigns against films, books are banned, people are turning violent against others if they speak their minds. We are curbing our freedom of speech in every way we can, and it seems like this has become a daily thing now.
If this continues, we will not be able to share anything with anyone. We might have to think ten times before speaking up on a topic, and maybe I will lose the right to write something like this.