During the Indian pre-independence era, people did not have the liberty to write freely. Newspapers and journals were shut, publishing houses locked and writers were put behind bars for writing against the British empire or demanding freedom. After 68 years, nothing much has changed.
A Facebook post can still get you behind bars, you can be attacked on social media with all sorts of trolls if you speak against the norm, religious sentiments are hurt with the name of a movie and lyrics from a song can be anti-culture. Where is freedom? It is not in what we speak, it is not in what we wear and it is even not in who we marry.
Raising voice is not easy in present times. I have personally felt that it has to be done considering all sorts of implications and thinking of various lenses through which an article can be perceived. Why? Because, no one likes being harassed whether on social media or otherwise.
Over 5 months ago, I got to know about Sabeen Mahmood’s assassination while reading the Human Lens and this topic has come up yet again. Avijit Roy and Niloy Neel from Bangladesh laid their lives because some group was not tolerant towards their ideologies. All that sounds sad and disappointing but what sounds promising is when writers, bloggers and activists are not scared of this reality. What sounds hopeful is that there are people who are breaking molds every single day, risking their lives and raising their voice.
There is a voice that I look up to. That of Harrish Iyer. Harrish has been raising his voice for the rights of the LGBT community, child sexual abuse among many other things. I follow his Facebook page and I read what he writes. Sometimes there are no-so-good comments, there is criticism and there is hatred. But he hasn’t stopped. And why should he? When one person speaks up for his rights and even one person listens, that gives the courage to the listener to speak up when it’s his turn. It is as simple as that. Courage is contagious and when writers blog or talk about issues that concern them, they want to spread the word and want others to talk.
So, today on Blog Action Day, let’s pledge to speak our minds and not be afraid. Let’s support each other and let one voice be never alone. Let there be no fear ever. Let there be freedom of expression through words. Raise your voice and do what’s right.
I am participating in Blog Action Day 2015 and this year’s theme is “Raise your voice”. Write Tribe, a writer’s support group has got us all together for this initiative. If you are writing, you can link up your post there.
happiness and food 
I have never been afraid to say what I feel. Be it on my blog or in person. You have no idea about all the brickbats that I have received. People used to call my parents and in-laws and complain about the stuff that I have written. But then again, I don’t care what they do. I just continue to write and say what I feel.
LikeLike
That’s a fabulous thing. Gosh ! really? People I tell you! Political opinions and writing about things that can trigger religious hatred gets tricky to handle.
LikeLike
Indeed scary rt how any voice that doesnt agree with s being clamped down on! Maybe thru our blogs we could amke a small difference – but yea honestly deep down am afaraid too
LikeLike
Totally agree. Through our blogs, we have a voice to make a difference.
LikeLike
I unite with you, my sister. You should have the freedom to do what you please as long as it doesn’t harm another. Here in England, we can blog what we want. However, Facebook doesn’t like certain words and will mark your post unreadable.
LikeLike
Oh yes! I have got to know that as well. Social media is all very protected and under scrutiny.
LikeLike
How true…freedom & write to express yourselves has varying limitations. The limitations range from social taboos to right wings n political pulls…we need brave it out n stand up for what we believe n what mind & heart says to be correct.
LikeLike
Totally agree. Thank you Deepankar for standing with me and stopping by to share what you think.
LikeLike
How intolerant we have become! Thank you for raising your voice, Parul.
I love Harrish too – he has such a big heart! And is not afraid.
LikeLike
Yep! He is! Thank you for hosting us on Write Tribe. It’s makes so much sense to come together on an issue like this.
LikeLike
The attempt to still voices of reason is very worrying. And together we need to have the courage to refuse to let our voices fade into oblivion.
LikeLike
Well summed Lata. Thank you!
LikeLike
Hear ! Hear
LikeLike
Thank you!
LikeLike
Heisann!
You have written about a very important issue, but one day in the future people will have freedom to announce their opinions, but it might take a long time for this to happen, unfortunately!
Do you know that you have used a Norwegian word in your post? Troll! It is a figure in our Folktale….
Have a nice day;:OD)
LikeLike