What is fascinating is the change in the language of intolerance. I have been critical of the Obama Administration’s work with Middle Eastern countries on establishing the basis for prosecution anti-religious speech. Recently the Administration got these extremist countries to adopt the Brandenburg standard as the basis for such prosecutions. These cases show the mentality of countries pushing for a “balance” between free speech and religion. It also shows why the use of the Brandenburg standard is so dangerous in the hands of such officials who view free speech as the cause of imminent violence. Here Latif insisted that prosecution is necessary because such readings may “provoke people,” warning “it is responsibility of police, administration and organisers to ensure that no such things happen in the event but it is unfortunate that the banned book was read.”
That is how imminent “imminent lawless action” plays out in nations enforcing blasphemy values.
Source: Outlook India as first seen on Reddit.