The first straightforward piece of good news in the recent rash of cases about free expression being curbed in different parts of the country is the robust stand taken by Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah, unlike his counterparts elsewhere.
Mr Abdullah’s no-nonsense directive to the police to hunt down goons threatening the three young members of the all-girl band “Pragaash” on social networking sites, forcing them to retreat from public view, should be an object lesson for political leaders across the country.
The Kashmir case is all the more noteworthy as the online threat to the girls was endorsed by the Grand Mufti of the Valley and by the hardline faction of the Hurriyat, who can be dangerous customers. None of this fazed Mr Abdullah, who decided to strike a blow in defence of creative freedom.
The case of those who attacked the members of Pragaash is that music is banned in Islam, and that the girls were engaging in “immorality” by going on stage. This, however, hasn’t impressed a visiting all-woman Sufi music group from Iran — from where Kashmiri Islam draws its inspiration — who call themselves “Ghazal”. The Iranian women reportedly claimed nothing in Islam says anything against women and music. Referring to the “Pragaash” case, they expressed surprise such a thing had happened in India.
One thing is clear. If governments stand up for free expression and other constitutional values, those busy getting offended will run for cover.