« rangoo :To cut a long story short, a fine art student in Gujarat, India, had an exhibition of his work. Here is the real issue: Different societies and different countries have different views on what a person's rights are.
In the US, most of us wouldn't think twice about the artist's right to the exhibit. We might be offended, we may not think it is art, we may not want it displayed in our community or paid for with our public funds, but most of us would disagree with arresting the artist.
I really hate it when folks come to live here, but want things just like their "old country". But I also realize it is a double edge sword. By acknowledging that they aren't joining our society I have to acknowledge that there are different societies. When I am in their culture I must conform to their customs and laws.
Do artist have the freedom to depict religious figures anyway they like? Can the society or a group of people whose religious sentiments are hurt take them to task?
So in answer to the question, WHERE is very important.
- Do I think these "artists" SHOULD have the right to free expression? YES. (This is, I think, a common western attitude.)
- Do I think the DO have the right? Obviously, in this case, no they don't. Does India have a constitution or guiding secular law that guarantees freedom of expression? It would seem they do not. Thus the artist has only the right to do what society (and the government) will allow.
- Can the society or a group of people...take them to task? In certain cultures, YES, and they often do.]]>
