All posts tagged: freedom of speech

Failing the Kanye test| Entertainment News

Failing the Kanye test| Entertainment News

Published by Parlour News

Kanye West is a reductio ad absurdum argument incarnate. Each of the ethical issues in hiring the American rapper, arguably the most influential musician this century, to headline a music festival in London sounds like ludicrous overstatement. What if Mr West, legally known as “Ye”, had posted “IM A NAZI” on X, the social network? What about if he took out an advert during the Super Bowl with a link to a website that sold one item—a t-shirt with a swastika? What about if he recorded a song titled “Heil Hitler”? And if that song ended with an excerpt from a 1935 speech by the fascist dictator? What if he blamed this behaviour on bipolar disorder and on suffering a brain injury? What if he apologised in a full-page advertisement in theWall Street Journal? Kanye West Mr West has done all this and more. And so the British government faced an absurd question: should it block a rapper’s visa for three headline performances at Wireless Festival? In an act of uncharacteristic decisiveness, Sir Keir Starmer’s …

CPI(M) slams AIR, Doordarshan in Assam for censorship of its speech

CPI(M) slams AIR, Doordarshan in Assam for censorship of its speech

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File photo of a person waving the Communist Party of India (Marxist) party flag. | Photo Credit: PTI GUWAHATI The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has complained to Assam’s Chief Electoral Officer against All India Radio and Doordarshan for deleting large portions of its written speech critical of the anti-people policies of the Bharatiya Janta Party-led government in the State. Suprakash Talukdar, the Assam State Committee secretary of the CPI(M), said the two broadcast media arms of Prasar Bharati resorted to “brazen censorship” in the name of vetting. He said that the party, a constituent of the Congress-led Opposition alliance, submitted its written speech to the Guwahati AIR and Doordarshan centres on March 29, fully adhering to the Election Commission of India’s guidelines. “It contained no prohibited contents like any references to foreign countries, remarks on the President of India, or constitutional authorities like the judiciary. The text of the speech also had no incitement against any communities or divisive content and no objectionable language,” the party’s statement read. “The speech only criticised the anti-people …

Elnaaz Norouzi: In a free Iran, I will return home when women can have a voice

Elnaaz Norouzi: In a free Iran, I will return home when women can have a voice

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Amid the growing unrest, Iranian-German, Elnaaz Norouzi believes the ability to speak freely is something women must value and protect, especially at a time when many across the world are still fighting for that basic right. Reflecting on the significance of Women’s Day, the actor says women living in countries that allow freedom of speech must recognise the responsibility that comes with it. Elnaaz Norouzi: In a free Iran, I will return home when women can have a voice “I think the one thing that’s really important as a woman nowadays is the fact that we live in times where, in most countries, and especially in the country that we live in right now, we have a voice,” she says. “And we can use our voice, and that is something we shouldn’t take lightly. For years and years, and even today in many countries, women are literally fighting to have a voice and to be able to say what they stand for. So when you live in a country like India where there’s freedom of …

Courts not meant for moral policing, says SC | Latest News India

Courts not meant for moral policing, says SC | Latest News India

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Courts are not tasked with “moral policing” and must refrain from dispensing value-based judgments under the guise of justice, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday, scrapping the Punjab and Haryana high court’s 2019 decision to impose a hefty cost of ₹10 lakh each on music composer Vishal Dadlani and political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla for their comments on a Jain monk. ₹10 lakh each on music composer Vishal Dadlani and political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla for their comments on a Jain monk. (HT Archive)” title=”The case pertains to the Punjab and Haryana high court’s 2019 decision to impose a hefty cost of ₹10 lakh each on music composer Vishal Dadlani and political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla for their comments on a Jain monk. (HT Archive)” /> ₹10 lakh each on music composer Vishal Dadlani and political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla for their comments on a Jain monk. (HT Archive)” title=”The case pertains to the Punjab and Haryana high court’s 2019 decision to impose a hefty cost of ₹10 lakh each on music composer Vishal Dadlani and political analyst Tehseen …

Never pressured Empuraan producer to go for re-censoring: Minister | Bollywood

Never pressured Empuraan producer to go for re-censoring: Minister | Bollywood

Published by Webster

New Delhi, Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Thursday asserted that the censor board never put any pressure on the makers of Malayalam film ‘L2: Empuraan’, which is now being shown in theatres after multiple cuts. Never pressured Empuraan producer to go for re-censoring: Minister The minister’s remarks came amid a backlash, especially from the right wing, which forced the makers of the film to go for re-censoring of the movie, which has been a commercial success. “There was no censor pressure on the producer of Empuraan. I was the first person to call the producers and ask them to delete my name in the credits of the beginning of the film. This is the truth,” Gopi said. He was replying to CPI MP John Brittas, who had on Wednesday decried the cuts in the Mohanlal-starrer L2: Empuraan as an assault on freedom of speech and expression. Responding to Brittas, Gopi said: “I am ready to take any punishment if this turns out to be false. It was the decision of the producer and the lead …

‘Give him prasad’: Maharashtra council admits breach of privilege notice against Kunal Kamra | Latest News India

‘Give him prasad’: Maharashtra council admits breach of privilege notice against Kunal Kamra | Latest News India

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Comedian Kunal Kamra has landed in trouble again over his jokes on Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde, with the state’s legislative council admitting a breach of privilege notice against him. Kunal Kamra, without taking names, seemingly mocked Eknath Shinde by modifying a song from ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’ movie. (Screengrab/X/@kunalkamra88) Council chairperson Ram Shinde told PTI that he has accepted the notice against Kunal Kamra over his “traitor” remark on Eknath Shinde and referred it to the Privileges Committee. Breach of privilege refers to instances when any person disregards or undermines the rights and immunities enjoyed by the parliament or legislature and its members, which are essential for them to perform their duties. State tourism minister and Shiv Sena leader Shambhuraj Desai, while talking to reporters, demanded Kamra’s immediate arrest, warning that the patience of party workers should not be tested. “We have been asked by Shinde to observe restraint, that is why we are quiet. As Shiv Sena workers, we know how to drag him out from wherever he is hiding, but as …

Eknath Shinde joke row: Kunal Kamra fails to appear before police, seeks more time | Latest News India

Eknath Shinde joke row: Kunal Kamra fails to appear before police, seeks more time | Latest News India

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Mar 25, 2025 11:18 PM IST Kamra’s lawyer contacted Mumbai police and requested them to give his client 7 days’ time to appear before the cops. Kunal Kamra has asked for 7 days to appear before the investigating officer in connection with the cases filed against him over his ‘traitor’ jibe on Maharashtra deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. Stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra.(Instagram/KunalKamra) He was supposed to appear before the police on Monday to record his statement in the case, but he did not appear. Kamra’s lawyer contacted the Mumbai police and requested them to give his client 7 days’ time to appear before the cops. It is believed that the comedian, known for his politically-charged jokes, is not in Mumbai, reported ANI. “Today Kunal was called by the police to record his statement, but he did not come. Further action will be taken after taking legal opinion,” ANI quoted Mumbai police as saying in a statement. Earlier, a team from Khar police station visited Kamra’s Mumbai residence, where his parents live. They had delivered the …

Nishikant Dubey-Led IT Panel Seeks Amendment In Law To Protect Women & Kids From Obscenity, Vulgarity

Nishikant Dubey-Led IT Panel Seeks Amendment In Law To Protect Women & Kids From Obscenity, Vulgarity

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Last Updated:February 15, 2025, 10:14 IST Committee chairman Nishikant Dubey said he would ask the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to define Article 19 and include provisions for morality, dignity of women, defamation of the masses and protection of children Ahead of the meeting on Friday, Chairman Nishikant Dubey spoke to his colleagues in the committee, floating the idea that they should discuss the impact of vulgarity and obscenity on women and children in particular. (PTI) The BJP MP Nishikant Dubey-led information technology panel on Friday deliberated on the need for a provision in law to protect the common man from issues of obscenity, vulgarity, slander and defamation, noting that the issue severely impacts women and children. Section 66A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, made it illegal to send offensive messages using a computer or communication device. It was intended to protect against cybercrimes like identity theft, child pornography, and cyber-terrorism. However, the provision was criticised for infringing on freedom of speech and expression. In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that Section 66A …

‘Freedom Of Speech Can’t Be…’: India On Violent Protests Against ‘Emergency’ Movie In UK

‘Freedom Of Speech Can’t Be…’: India On Violent Protests Against ‘Emergency’ Movie In UK

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Last Updated:January 24, 2025, 17:33 IST Several reports emerged of disruptions in the screening of Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ in the UK theatres. The MEA expressed concerns over the intimidation by pro-Khalistan elements. Kangana Ranaut’s film ‘Emergency’ screening disrupted in UK (Photo: X/KanganaTeam) India on Friday expressed raised concerns over the reports that actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut’s ‘Emergency’ was obstructed by the Khalistani elements during screening of the film in several halls in the United Kingdom, and said that freedom of speech “cannot be applied selectively”. The Ministry of External Affairs said that those responsible in the incidents must be held accountable. What Did MEA Say On ‘Emergency’ Screening Disruption In UK? At a weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed concerns over the reports and said that the Indian government consistently raises issues of violent protests and intimidation. “We have also seen several reports on how the film, ‘Emergency’, which was being screened in several halls were being obstructed. We consistently raise concerns with the UK Government regarding incidents of violent protest …

Does Canada Grant Visas To Punjab Gangsters With Criminal Pasts? Top Intel Sources Reveal Pak ISI Nexus

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Last Updated: May 05, 2024, 22:47 IST Canadian police released photos of Kamalpreet Singh, Karanpreet Singh and Goldy Brar, naming them as accused in the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. (Image: RCMP) India awaits details on arrests linked to Sikh separatist Nijjar’s killing. Top intel sources reveal Canada-Pakistan nexus As India awaits details about the arrest of nationals allegedly linked to the killing of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, top intelligence sources on Sunday revealed a nexus between Canada-based Khalistan groups and Pakistan’s ISI that fosters tension in Indian Punjab by granting visas to people with criminal backgrounds. Canadian Police arrested three Indians on Friday linked to Nijjar’s killing in June last year. Karan Brar, 22, Kamalpreet Singh, 22, and Karanpreet Singh, 28, all Indian nationals residing in Edmonton, were charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Underlining that the probe into Nijjar’s death is Canada’s internal matter and has nothing to do with India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said New Delhi will wait for information from the Canadian …