Left demand to cancel ‘right-wing’ Pondy Lit Fest sparks fresh debate on free expression

The literature festival, scheduled to begin in Puducherry on August 17, has been accused of promoting a right-wing agenda.

Harsimran Gill

· Aug 17, 2018 · 07:30 am

Protests against Umar Khalid and Tarek Fatah remind us why free speech is endangered in India

Threats to freedom of expression and the denigration of the culture of debate are critical threats to Indian democracy.

Shoaib Daniyal

· Feb 24, 2017 · 08:00 am

Free speech debates need to go beyond the ‘radicals’ vs ‘liberals’ divide

The two views aren't necessarily on opposing sides.

Eric Heinze

· Jan 18, 2017 · 11:30 pm

'Don't use dirty words in front of ladies': How puritanism stopped my comedy show in Allahabad

A member of comedy group Aisi Taisi Democracy recounts how they were asked to stop their routine by NIT professors on Tuesday.

Varun Grover

· Sep 29, 2016 · 05:39 pm

Why Norway's largest newspaper is taking on Mark Zuckerberg on its front-page

Update: How Facebook was forced to reinstate the iconic Vietnam 'napalm girl' photo it had earlier censored.

Scroll Staff

· Sep 09, 2016 · 03:14 pm

Podcast: Can freedom of speech and political correctness go hand-in-hand?

At a time when noisy debates make for prime time TV and people jostle between offending and being offended, we look at how India lost its capacity for dialogue.

Devadutt Pattanaik and Jerry Johnson

· Aug 13, 2016 · 10:45 am

'If you don't like a book, throw it away': High Court brings author Perumal Murugan back to life

Key sections from the Madras High Court judgement that has quashed criminal proceedings against the Tamil author.

Scroll Staff

· Jul 05, 2016 · 04:14 pm

A Facebook post, a growing storm and the curious case of an IAS officer's transfer

Days after he was transferred for a message in praise of Nehru, Madhya Pradesh served notice on Ajay Gangwar for an alleged anti-Modi comment from January '15.

Rakesh Dixit

· Jun 01, 2016 · 12:30 pm

Freedom of speech at JNU: Is there really any difference between sedition and blasphemy?

Should hurting sentiments, whether against a state, god or prophet ever be criminalised?

Shoaib Daniyal

· Feb 12, 2016 · 08:40 pm

Democracy does not automatically mean freedom of speech, says Kamal Haasan

The actor said he was not criticising India's democracy, but instead was proud of it and wanted the country to set an example for the rest of the world.

Scroll Staff

· Feb 08, 2016 · 08:13 am

Extremism plan pushes the UK down a dangerously illiberal road

David Cameron has attacked universities for allowing radical Islam to be spread on their campuses. But who draws the line when it comes to freedom of speech?

Thomas Scotto, The Conversation

· Jul 22, 2015 · 04:30 pm