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ELECTION 99
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E-mail from readers the world over
'An author of Khushwant Singh's calibre should not write this kind of book'
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 12:29:42 EDT
An author of Khushwant Singh's calibre should not write this kind of book. How can he consider women as mere sex commodities? He is right if you consider the reality, lot of Indian men consider women as their slaves. But a standard author like K Singh should know his limits. Now what is the difference between him and other ordinary authors? His responsibility is to write standard books and teach Indians a moral lesson. Certainly not this kind of low book. He should tell us how to live, not how we are living. Of course, people have their freedom of speech, writing etc. If that is the case, then why was the Satanic Verses banned in India? What happened to Salman Rushdie's freedom of writing then? Why are the rules different for different people? Can the interviewer answer my last question please?
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 13:10:16 -0400
Is there an objective definition of 'good' and 'bad'?
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 11:02:01 -0700
Our culture...? There are flourishing brothels in practically every city/town in the country and a surprising number of middle-class people visit them quite often. Culture? There are marriages that go on and on only because hapless women see no way out of them. They are not even objects of desire -- merely pieces of furniture. Millions of instances where parents are shocked to the core if their children like someone of their own accord -- not necessarily when asked to like so-and-so. It is okay to hate people, but you better not like anyone. Wow! Is culture a constant? Is sex always pornography ? Is love always carnal? Why do we reject summarily all that we cannot identify with or are uncomfortable with? There are affairs in the society, and there are people who like those of the same sex, and there always will be people who hold the hands of their loved ones in public because they are not ashamed to do so. Whether or not you and I are comfortable with it is not the issue here. There is no one correct way, is there? And if a book could corrupt youngsters, Khajuraho would have caused this nation's population to be involved in one big orgy all the time. It doesn't work that way, sir. Do give us young people a little more credit and strength of character than you credit us with right now. Change is the only constant (pardon the cliche). A culture/language/people who do not change with time are destined to perish. So let's be a little more broad-minded about this. For all you know, I might take severe offence at the way some people walk around wearing just a loincloth if you keep on grudging me my ways... Sameer Shisodia
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 13:51:50 -0500
It's a good interview but I don't like the fact that Radhakrishnan has any right to decide for others what is right or wrong. We as youngsters are educated and strong enough to know what is totally fictional and what is not. So guys grow up; stop making issues out of nothing to gain mileage.
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 12:19:12 -0700
You are sick! When you have put that interview? Why are you selling the book on your site? Don't you feel ashamed?
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 15:38:29 -0400
Though I haven't read this book, I have read a few of Khushwant's other books. They are great books. I would suggest that K S Radhakrishnan keep his opinions to himself.
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 13:59:42 -0600
Mr Radhakrishnan, you dork, get a life!! We youngsters are smart enough to try everything and figure out the good things from the bad ones. So, we could do without your help. Trust me, we really can.
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 16:45:31 -0400
One thing good about rediff.com is that it dares to venture into topics against the stream. This interview of a person who sued Khushwant Singh was quite interesting. I don't know why people tolerate personalities like Khushwant Singh and M F Husain. They always try to remain in the news with cheap publicity gimmicks. I won't be surprised if the latter comes out with a nude painting of the former, just to be in the news. I hate both of them. I hope somebody teaches these people a lesson someday. (Probably then also they will be happy because these shameless people will be in the news again.)
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 17:34:51 -0400
The style of writing that is being defended is totally unacceptable. That obscene literature is available outside is a totally unacceptable argument. Even drugs are available outside. That does not mean we legalise it. Khushwant Singh says it is the 'fantasy of an octogenarian'. Our culture emphasises respect towards the elders. Will any youngster respect an old person if he thinks that this guy is still fantasizing about bedding not one, but many women? It does not do Singh's image any good. Our culture has always encouraged creative writing. Some of them also deal with topics that are considered taboo. But we have preserved and respected them when they do so from a point of view or with an intention that is not vulgar. A fine example of this is the Kama Sutra, a text that deals with this subject in its entirety. Nobody hides it. But the important thing is that it is not intended to just titillate the reader. That kind of journalism or writing is condemnable. Ramakrishnan
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 15:01:25 -0700
Good article, with intelligent questions by Shobha Warrier. I was quite appalled to hear the stock responses from Radhakrishnan to all questions about an individual's right to express themselves as they see fit. Why can't we in India see the concept of the saying, 'One man's poetry is another man's porn'. Who gave Radhakrishnan the right to be the ultimate arbiter on taste in India? Ranjit Pradhan
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 17:57:38 -0400
Radhakrishnan needs a life or he'd better absorb himself in the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. No, wait, the Mahabharata has few things, which do not agree with Indian society. To list a few -- the way Kunti was impregnated, the abduction of women by Bhishma, the sharing of Draupadi, the polygamy practised by Pandu, Arjun, Bheem, even Krishna. How about the Ramayana? Dasharath had three wives (polygamy) and Rama abandoned his wife. If the book is merely portrayed by the way it represents a gender, then we should ban both the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Why is it that the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are sacred books? I fully agree with freedom of speech, irrespective of matter. The interviewer is right that, as a reader, I have a choice to read or not to read such derogatory material. Secondly, how do you define obscenity? The VIP underwear ads I have seen around are obscene. The way film actress dress/act in movies is obscene for some. The way politicians slander each other is obscene for me. How do we go banning them? What may be offensive to you may be normal to someone and vice versa. I haven't read the book, so, I'm picking this from the interview -- regarding the India-Pakistan issue involving Yasmeen. What's wrong with that? Is it the relationship between an Indian male and a Pakistani female that bothered him? Or, was it the statement about resolving the war? When the cricket team says so, they are being patriotic, but not this couple! I may not be comfortable with having a relationship with a Pakistani female, mostly because of political issues involving Indo-Pak, but the idea doesn't bother me. If two people are in love (even if it is transient), it is love. Who cares who and what they are? Anyway, to comeback to the topic, freedom of speech and expression should be respected more than merely banning/trying to ban a book a person finds distasteful. That's the only way a free democratic society can survive. Neeraj.
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 21:01:00 -0500
I read the book. It is the worst of all his works. May be his age has eaten out his wits. I wonder this person liked to see himself in the shoes of our many great people. After all, by commercialising one's intellect, can anyone go beyond a point? Parthasarathy
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 22:05:57 -0500
After reading the review, I am not planning either to buy the book or to recommend it. I will go along with the banning of the book. Good luck to India. I also think the sardar has gone mad.
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 22:43:39 -0400
K S Radhakrishnan is a dork and a nerd!
Date Sent: Wed, 13 Oct 1999 20:27:03 -0700
The objection of the senior gentleman is very cogent but it represents a view that is passing away. There seems to be a wholly new standard regarding the portrayal of women in literature and media that is a shock to the sensibilities of sensitive people. But, with the general acceptance world-wide of lower standards of morality, decency, and what passes as entertainment in print and on the screen, we are forced to put up with literature that is generally of a low quality. Fortunately censorship is gone, book-burning is passe, and other forms of control have gone with the millennium. It is up to individuals, not the court, to protest the products of bad taste, low literature, and no morality. Individuals must stand up and express themselves clearly, simply, and with passion. Good literature need not shock or degrade. It is timeless and always obvious. Buy it and appreciate it.
R E Mark Lee
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