mid-day editorial: Those who can't debate, simply troll

One of the six freedoms granted to every Indian citizen in Articles 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the Constitution is the all-important freedom of speech. Yet, today, any opinion that contradicts tenuously held views on how things should be (these days, it's decided either by politicians or religious bigots) is met with rage and threats of violence.

Kurush Dalal would know. The assistant professor with the Centre for Extra-Mural Studies, University of Mumbai, relied on his archaeological acumen to make a case against spending Rs 3,600 crore of state funds to build the controversial mid-sea statue of Shivaji Maharaj, in a column for this paper last Sunday. Since then, he has met the fate of anyone who chooses to question governing powers - vicious trolling.

His argument that there is little need for a memorial to a Maratha warrior in a city he never set foot in, should have thrown open a healthy debate. Instead, he has been told

"[u talk a lot .. we have a way to shut guys like u who question their own father! It's Chhatrapati Shivaji !!]". This unfortunately, is something that all columnists and writers now have to grapple with, at least those who challenge the majority view.

When did the space for debate get overrun by rigid dogma? Has the political become larger than the logical? And, if the memorial move is in fact, one that a ‘majority' wants, why has it never received overwhelming support?

Elected representatives seem to have forgotten who they represent, sickeningly pandering instead to the whims of their political masters.

Did the party behind the ostentatious memorial decision ask Mumbai what it would have liked to do with the Rs 3,600 crore? If it had,

Kurush wouldn't have to say what he did - spend the funds on preserving the splendid but deserted, defaced forts across Maharashtra that Shivaji built. Wouldn't that be a truer tribute?