“My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.”
– Adlai Stevenson (31st Governor of Illinois and United Nations ambassador 1961-
1965)
Above is the line having much depth in meaning; I recall this line because recently I came across an incident where a public intellectual has to be a sufferer of protest, picketing and outrage of students’ mob.
Famous filmmaker, brave orator, public intellectual and author of best seller book @UrbanNaxals, Mr. Vivek Agnihotri, is in lime light since May, 2018 post the launch of his book #UrbanNaxals. Vivek’s book is a fruit of intense research and rigorous ground work on sensitive issue like naxalism – a biggest internal security threat. Vivek, post his book launch, was on a nationwide and worldwide expedition to spread the awakening about the naxalism, to enlighten the people about the oldest living civilization – Hindu civilization and other many such substance.
As a part of this activity, he was invited by Bhavan’s Sheth RA College of Arts & Commerce, one of the academic institutions of Ahmadabad, Gujarat on Saturday to deliver lecture on ‘Role of cultural study in Formation of Society’. According to the sources, there was a high level security as Gujarat University’s VC Mr. Himnshu Pandya was going to share the stage with Vivek Agnihotri. When Vivek reached at the venue, some students shouted slogans against him, his car was stopped to enter the college premises; police escorted Mr. Vivek Agnihotri to the venue safely. Police detained the Protestants to avoid any unwanted incidents to take place; they were released later in the day.
The series of protest and attack didn’t stop here; Vivek also had to address at MS University on ‘Urban Naxalism’ at Vadodara after his visit to Ahmadabad. Vivek Agnihotri’s car attacked by the student wing of Congress. This entire incident took place in front of media and cops, so one thing was clear that unless the political support and assistance it wouldn’t have been possible.
But Vivek was fortunate enough because the timing of the protestant was different and Vivek was returning back after a wonderful event. Post this incidence, Vivek twitted on social media –
As soon as I came out of the Bhavan’s, Ahmedabad after my event, to go to Vadodara, an army of NSUI students attacked my car. In front of media Despite heavy security, police. @RahulGandhi pl tell your goons that they can break my bones but how’ll they break my spirit?
— Vivek Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) November 24, 2018
On this there should be debates, mind storming sessions and discussions why Vivek was attacked? What were the reasons for this protest? Wasn’t there any other way to raise voice than violence?
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