  Two unrelated incidents this Friday made me wonder about the meaning of the word 'Democracy'. In India, we are proud to call ourselves the world’s largest democracy.
Are we one? I have wanted to see 'Fahrenheit 9/11' since its release and I finally managed to overcome my laziness (the film is not being screened in a nearby multiplex) this Friday. Coming from India and Tamil Nadu in particular, where a member of the media can go to jail if you write or say anything against the ruling party, it truly amazed me that a documentary so critical of the incumbent president is allowed to be screened wherever the director wants! That says something about democracy! The same day, I read a news article in BBC noting that the Indian censor board has decided to ban 'Right Solutions', a documentary about the Gujarat communal riots that killed close to 1000 people. Reason for the ban? It may flare up communal tensions again. That again says something about democracy! The censor board might be right. But aren't we denying millions of people the right to know what actually happened in Gujarat?
You might say you know everything that went on during those gruesome days. But do you? I thought (and so did most people) that the media did a great job of covering 9/11. That was until I saw Michael Moores’ film. I am sure people will feel the same way after seeing Right Solutions. We as citizens have the right to information. It is us who should decide whether what is shown is right or wrong.
It is us who should decide whether to change our opinions based on what is shown. That’s what happens in a democracy.
Are we one?
Ram. (PS: I am sure we cannot judge whether India is a democracy by the example stated above. It's too superficial for that! The example should ideally get you started thinking more about this subject.
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