We have seen in recent years not only a rollback on free speech, even in the West, but the targeting of comedians who offend different groups or faiths. The latest such case is found in India where police arrested Kiku Sharda, 40, for mimicking controversial spiritual guru Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh (left). Singh, known as the “guru in bling” is widely ridiculed but a single complaint still led to the arrest of Sharda.
Citizens have discovered a new taste for speech criminalization and censorship, a reduction in free speech values that governments have been happy to foster. For earlier posts and columns, click here and here and here. We have previously discussed the alarming rollback on free speech rights in the West, particularly in France (here and here and here and here and here and here) and England ( here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here and here). Much of this trend is tied to the expansion of hate speech and non-discrimination laws. We have seen comedians targets with such court orders under this expanding and worrisome trend. (here and here).Even in the United States, comedians are avoiding colleges to avoid speech limitations and complaints.
This one is particularly bizarre given the controversial 48-year-old guru who is under police investigation for allegedly encouraging 400 followers to undergo castrations at his ashram so they could get closer to God. Yet one of his followers saw the show and demanded Sharda’s arrest. Sharma apologized for his act but that not be enough under India’s speech laws. It is certainly not likely to satisfy Singh’s cult-like followers who describe him on his website as an author, inventor, scientist, philosopher, philanthropist, peace activist and “the ultimate humanitarian”. Ultimate humanitarian perhaps but certainly not the ultimate comedian.
Source: Yahoo
The world is quickly losing its sense of humor, and it’s the politically correct crowd’s fault.
Incidentally, I agree with Neo. Let’s get rid of the federal government. Simply disolve it like the USSR did. There are 50 states here, each a republic with its own constitution, house and senate, executive, and court system. Just eliminate one whole level of government (and its debt). Divide Washington D.C. between Maryland and Virginia, and then walk away. That would be a good blog topic to draw a good discussion.
I meant to say that Hoosiers are not Indians.
It is hard to explain to a creature from another planet. But in America an “Indian” is usually some human from an American Indian Tribe. Like Cherokee. Another Indian is from India. But wait. The folks who came to America across the Alaskan straights were from India. Now there is this other place and it is just a state in the midwest called Indiana. It consists of Hoosiers. Hoosiers and not Indians. Never the Twain shall meet. Ask Mark Twain.
Indiana is getting a lot of play today.
Yet another example of why we must not encode PC into law, or otherwise erode Free Speech.
I suppose he was short of sopranos and needed to fill the choir with castrati.
Ahhh JT….about you other recent article….the one regarding the lawyer biting banks, a bit disingenuous here or there?
With regard to castrations of his flock. The more the merrier.
My vote is to focus more on this country and its shortcomings; there are plenty. Crazy exists everywhere. Turley needs to stop with the easy cheap shots at backward nations such as India, Saudi Arabia, Iran, etc and spend more time ferreting out the ‘backward nation’ aspects of the good ole US of A.
Their country, their laws.
Like the US doesn’t have its own problems you need to look at India? The first sentence is all one needs to read to start seeing the real problem. “We have seen in recent years not only a rollback on free speech, even in the West, but the targeting of comedians who offend different groups or faiths.”
The solution to the Federal government is “NULLIFY”. Nullify every Federal law and regulations in every state which is slowly happen.