The Supreme Court on Monday, August 31, imposed a 'nominal fine' of Rs 1 on lawyer Prashant Bhushan after he was convicted of criminal contempt for two tweets against the judiciary, observing it was 'showing magnanimity' instead of handing out any severe punishment.
On the other hand, 24-year-old student and cultural activist Suvarna Salve has been issued notice by the Mumbai police seeking surety of Rs 50 lakh -- yes, you read that right, Rs 50 lakh!!! -- for participating in a protest in January, in the wake of the attack on students and faculty members at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus.
Uttam Ghosh offers his take on these contrasting images of Freedom of Speech that exists in our great land.
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Where's our freedom of expression?
What the Supreme Court chooses to hear and not hear
Must we choose between democracy and vikas?
Guess what? I am an anti-national!