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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."

 
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