Indian journalist slams Danish cartoons
2/20/2006
Source ::: The Peninsula
DOHA:
"I would laugh at Osama bin Laden but I will never laugh at the
Prophet to be called a liberal," says
M J Akbar, noted Indian journalist and editor of Asian Age daily.
Talking to The Peninsula yesterday on the sidelines of the
US-Islamic World Forum, Akbar said he didn't subscribe to that
version of freedom of press which justifies insulting sanctities of
any religion.
Referring to a recent article he has written in his own paper on the
issue titled "The Answer is Gandhi," Akbar said, economic boycott
was the right answer to the offensive Danish cartoons of Prophet
Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him).
"It is wrong if Muslims think that violence is the answer to this
insult. Boycott of products is far more productive because this is
the only language the West would understand, because its ‘god’ is
commerce," he said.
He praised the British press, saying that their attitude was much
more sensible compared to some other sections of the western media.
"Personally I would now prefer a British product than a Danish one,"
he said.
He said he had not come across any country or society which has
allowed freedom of expression with out limits or safeguards. For
instance, the Danish penal code (Section 266B) states: "Any person
who publicly or with the intention of dissemination to a wide circle
of people makes a statement or imparts other information
threatening, insulting or degrading a group of persons on account of
their race, colour, national or ethnic origin, belief or sexual
orientation, shall be liable to a fine, simple detention or
imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years."
Section 140 adds, "Those who publicly mock or insult the doctrines
or worship of any religious community that is legal in this country,
will be punished by a fine or incarceration for up to four months."
The Danish prime minister could have referred the issue to the court
based on the law of his own country, instead of expressing
helplessness under the weak pretext of freedom of the press, Akbar
argues in his article, quoting from the Danish law.
Asked about the possible outcome of the controversy, he said: "The
outcome would be positive if it leads to a better understanding
between Muslims and the West." |