Ranchi: A seminar on “Growing Attacks on Freedom of Expression” was held at Safdar Hashmi Auditorium on Sunday, where speakers expressed serious concern over the increasing curbs on dissent and urged writers, authors and intellectuals to speak and write fearlessly.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Vinod Kumar, Dr Kiran, novelist Vinod Kumar, Faisal Anurag, Sudhir Pal, Srinivas, S. Chatterjee, Kumar Brijendra and Najma Nahid Ansari warned that a climate of fear and intimidation could not be challenged unless society stood up against attacks on free expression.
The speakers said the recent Gen-Z movements had brought visible signs of change in the country, with young people and ordinary citizens increasingly taking to the streets and raising their voices. They described the trend as a positive sign for democracy.
They stressed that democracy, the Constitution and fundamental rights cannot be protected without struggle and collective resistance. Freedom of expression, they said, is one of the fundamental pillars of a democratic society and any attempt to silence dissent must be resisted.
Introducing the topic, district secretary M.Z. Khan referred to recent incidents involving those who have spoken or written against prevailing conditions. He said that speaking the truth was increasingly being treated as an offence, with cases being filed and people being sent to jail.
“This dangerous trend has created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. People are witnessing everything but remaining silent. The time has come to break that silence and raise the banner of resistance,” Khan said.
The seminar was chaired by Prof Arun Kumar and conducted by M.Z. Khan.
Among those present were Dr Jamshed Qamar, Asma Jabeen, Ramdev Badaik, Chhotni Asur, Md Aman, Nishad Khan, Shwet Kamal, Vicky Minz and K.K. Rathore, besides others.
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