JotCast | Kannan Gopinathan on the freedom of expression

K.S. Swati

10:44

Hello and Welcome to discussion on freedom of expression with Kannan Gopinathan. He is an ex IAS officer and an activist.

10:45

The discussion begins with the statement,"The Supreme Court said that internet is fundamental right to expression"

10:47

Kannan replies to this by saying that is was very clear that what we are doing in Kashmir was against fundamental democratic rights.

He continues,"It's a question of livelihood for people in Kashmir.

10:48

He opines that there should have been a bit more urgency in dealing with such matters' on Supreme Court by taking time.

Kannan interestingly points out by saying."'What is normal for us in Kashmir might not be normal for Kashmiris."

10:49

He adds on,"A lot of fundamental questions need to be asked and answered."

10:50

He continues by saying that Kashmir has almost become a taboo. We don't want to talk about them and we shouldn't treat our own citizens like this.

10:51

Kannan asserts that the government should answer the question on what we gained from the amendment of Article 370.

10:53

He chimes in,"Questions have to be asked to the government-why are they harassing people?"

10:55

He optimistically adds, that he is a lot more hopeful now than when he had resigned.

He reiterates,"When an entire state was almost shut down... it's our duty as citizens to stand up for Kashmiris."

10:56

Kannan quips,"Media either showed Kashmiris celebrating or didn't show anything at all."

10:58

He continues by saying that the political opposition didn't take a stance. Individually all he could do is resign.

10:59

He expresses,"When the NRC and CAA came, our Secularism got challenged. For me it’s a clear violation of fundamental rights."

11:00

11:02

He continues,"Specific remedy should have been part of the judgement.There are lots of fundamental questions to be asked which we are ignoring.Kashmir has become a taboo, we are not discussing about them."

11:04

He posed relevant questions,"What is that we gained from Article 370? Or the development would come?"

Has Kashmir become a taboo?

Yes (100% | 1 vote)

No (0% | 0 votes)

Maybe (0% | 0 votes)

Total Votes: 1

11:05

Overwhelmed, he says that he had resigned because of lack of reactions from common citizens.

Adding to this he says, "It is our duty to stand up for the citizens of Kashmir."

11:06

Kannan says,"I think the biggest threat is self-censorship. People have started writing something on Facebook and already started feeling like Bhagat Singh... that is the amount of fear."

11:10

He adds on to the boiling point,"Earlier we criticised the government... now we have to be afraid of the supporters of the government. (they)have started attacking people who are asking the questions."

11:11

Kannan comments,"Youth came out on streets and asked questions to the Government which many people did not. Youth is breathing the air of freedom. Countries change from democracy to dictatorship because people stop asking questions."

11:12

Have Indians lost their right to Freedom Of Speech?

Yes (0% | 0 votes)

No (0% | 0 votes)

Total Votes: 0

11:13

It will come back to haunt the nation.

Remember, a strong nation means strong people.

Don't weaken the people for the sake of the Govt, dear PM @narendramodi!

He underlines the situation by saying, "When anybody starts asking questions, they are silenced by putting a name to then. But that only works to an extent."

11:14

He says,"The biggest threat to freedom of expression is self censorship."

11:16

Kannan explains that the moment we grow out of it, it won't matter. The cost of taking a professional stance... makes it difficult. The cost is made personal, not just professional.

11:17

He interestingly says,"The name calling is happening. Students started questioning, they started calling them ‘tukde tukde’ gang."

11:18

Kannan sarcastically says,"'People are IAS aspirant, I'm a resignation aspirant."

11:20

He expresses his concern by saying that when Urban people started questioning - they became urban naxals, Christians started questioning they became ‘rice bag converts’, Sikhs started questioning they became ‘khalistani’, Muslims started questioning they became ‘jihadi’.

11:22

Disappointingly, Kannan remarks,"The cost of a professional opinion has become personal, if I take a
professional stand against the govt, family is harassed."

11:24

11:26

Kannan optimistically says,” Students are now understanding their rights and young women raising their voices. They are questioning patriarchal ideology."

11:27

He once again talks about Kashmir and says,” I am talking about how Kashmir has affected foreign relations. Asking questions on my state has become a question in foreign relations."

11:30

Kannan ends the discussion by asking a very logical question. He pitches the question by saying,"How weak and insecure is this Government?”

11:44

This brings us to the end of the discussion. Thank you for joining.

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