It is only in India that we take the right to freedom of expression seriously. So seriously, in fact, that we freely exercise our free right to freely interpret our right to freedom of expression. Phew, hope I got that right. Of course, my freedom of expression may not be your freedom of expression, but I will defend to death my freedom to express my version of freedom of expression and your right to agree with my version of freedom of expression. The recent kerfuffle over Taslima Nasreen unleashed four distinct versions of our freedom of expression. There could, of course, be many more, considering there are 1.1 billion of us. But I will confine myself to these four . . .

The Sangh Parivar Freedom: This is a very subtle and super-refined philosophy of freedom of expression. So please pay attention or you may miss an important nuance.

There are many activities this important community committed to freedom of expression believes should not find expression. Valentine cards, denim jeans, and ‘Ba, ba, black sheep’ may figure in the list. So it unleashes its most excitable cadres, suitably equipped with crowbars, to storm shops and schools in defence of freedom of expression.

However, when it comes to Salman Rushdie, they are the first to come out on the streets in defence of his right to express. This commitment is truly praiseworthy. However, Rushdie being right, should not be taken to mean that M.F. Husain is also right. Sometimes Husain’s canvases need to be slashed or inked out in pursuit of their freedom of expression.

... contd.