Paris Killing and Freedom of Speech
Yet another barbaric killing in the name of Islam. The beheading of a teacher in the outskirts of Paris last Friday is nerve chilling – so inhuman, cruel and un-Islamic. If the killer had thought he was doing a great service to Islam or he was expressing his extreme love for Prophet Mohammed for showing cartoons of Prophet Mohammed to students, he was either misguided, brainwashed or totally ignorant of Islam. He probably had passion for Islam without actually understanding Islam.
We, normal Muslim world, out rightly reject, condemn and denounce this heinous killing. Whatever reason the killer had to justify his devilish deed, there is no justification to take out a human life, whatsoever. If some people thought Islamic teachings guided this young killer to kill the teacher for showing the Prophet of Islam in bad light, they are totally wrong. Let me make it very clear that Islam never preaches killing except in case of self-defense and to protect destruction of property. Even if someone kills someone, the murderer can be eliminated only after a due process of law, this is Islam. Everything else is insanity, madness.
My purpose of writing this article is not to separate and abandon the Muslim killer from Islam and claim innocence. Muslim Ummah (brotherhood) cannot simply do this, all have a collective responsibility. Islam teaches the believers to love Prophet Mohammed more than anything else, even more than one’s own parents but never directly or indirectly suggests when such a Prophet is defamed get into violence. It is human nature that when loved one is abused, he/she gets enraged but in Islam there is no scope for any violent retaliation. Quran specifically prohibits taking revenge or retaliation even when Allah is abused or defamed.
A true follower of Islam will understand that Allah or Prophet Mohammed cannot be defamed by any human deed or word. Probably the Islamic world, when teaching to love Prophet, has failed to teach his followers enough that love does not include turning violent when their loved one is abused or defamed. We need to be more vociferous in teaching that violence and crime to protect the image of Prophet is indeed hate and is a crime against humanity. To this end, I feel, we Muslims have failed to convey the right message to our kids and youths. I own up the moral responsibility. I extend an unconditional apology to the family of the killed teacher.
Now coming to freedom of speech. France is a country which provides maximum freedom of speech to its citizens, it is protected by the 1789 Declaration of Human and Civic Rights. Even though the French Constitution considers free speech as an essential part of a free democratic society, it doesn’t consider free speech as an absolute right. I do not believe in absolute freedom of speech, in fact, there cannot be absolute freedom of speech anywhere in the world. My elementary teacher had given a perfect example of why there cannot be absolute freedom of speech. I come from an area where arecanut fields are common scene, even small households will have a few arecanut plants. These plants grow tall and planted in equal distance. My teacher explained, I remember even now so vividly : “May be your own areca garden and you have full right to walk in the garden waving your both hands the way you want but remember, your hands may hit your own plants and you may get hurt”. There cannot be another better example to explain why there can’t be absolute freedom of speech in the world. Your full freedom of speech too should be bound by its own boundaries – do not try to transgress that boundary.
Even the French Constitution limits the freedom of speech to protecting public order, protecting public from defaming and insults. It is illegal to incite others to commit a crime in France. When the French law is so clear about the limitation of freedom of speech, why did the teacher took the extreme step of showing cartoons of Prophet Mohammed to the students in the class? It is reported that Muslim students of his class were asked to walk out from the class before he showed the cartoons saying it may hurt those Muslim students. When the teacher knew it will hurt the Muslim students, what was the need of showing these cartoons? Wasn’t there anything else available to illustrate freedom of speech to students? Didn’t the teacher know that these cartoons have already become a controversy in France and a sensitive issue? What was the real intention of showing these cartoons? Isn’t the teacher also responsible for his own death by inciting some? I am in no way condoning or defending the crimes of a murderer but we need to realize that there is no absolute freedom of speech.
We need to strike a balance between our freedom and others’ freedom. Enjoy freedom to the full without inciting others. Maintaining an equilibrium in the world is everybody’s responsibility. To my Muslim brothers and sisters – we are already into the month of Rabiul Awwal, the sacred month in which Prophet Mohammed was born. It is custom to recapitulate the life and teachings of Prophet Mohammed in this month. Let us have a relook into his life as to how he reacted when he was insulted and abused both physically and orally during his life time. Let us inculcate some of his beautiful life examples into our life and try to make this world a better world.
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Bengaluru rains: Siddaramaiah orders immediate removal of encroachments on stormwater drains
Bengaluru, May 21 (PTI): Following the havoc caused by rains in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said that officials have been given clear instructions to remove encroachments on stormwater drains without delay, regardless of how "influential" the encroachers may be.
He said immediate compensation will be provided to all victims whose houses were damaged by rainwater, following a survey.
Siddaramaiah was speaking to reporters after visiting and inspecting areas affected by the rains over the past couple of days.
"Climate change, issues with the drainage system, encroachments, and silting of stormwater drains are causing recurring problems in Bengaluru during heavy rains. I’m confident we will be able to provide a permanent solution. I’m not saying it will be a hundred per cent fine by the next rains, but we will do as much as possible. People should also cooperate," he said.
Pointing out that Bengaluru received 299 mm of rainfall in 2022—the second highest in 10 years—he added that 132 mm of rainfall was recorded at midnight on May 19.
"I have instructed officials to immediately conduct a survey of the damage and provide compensation," Siddaramaiah said.
He added, "There was a demand for Rs 1 lakh as compensation, but officials have been asked to assess the damage and provide suitable relief. Immediate aid, such as food and shelter, is already being provided to those affected."
Siddaramaiah also said that authorities have been instructed not to grant construction permits for basements in low-lying areas while approving building plans.
"This is because basements tend to flood during heavy rains, and such incidents have occurred in several places. Two people died of electrocution while removing water from a basement," he said.
He further said that of the 210 low-lying areas in Bengaluru, 166 have been identified as sensitive or very sensitive, and precautionary measures have been taken in these zones.
Noting that the government has drawn up plans and undertaken infrastructure development, especially for stormwater drains, Siddaramaiah said, "The stormwater drain network in the city spans about 860 km. Lining work has been completed on 491 km, while work on another 195 km is underway and will be completed by February 2026."
"For the remaining 173 km, work has been taken up through a Rs 2,000 crore loan from the World Bank. The tender process has been completed, and the work order is yet to be issued. Instructions have been given to complete the work within three years," he added.
Siddaramaiah also said that the families of Manmohan Kamath (63) and Dinesh, a 12-year-old boy who were electrocuted while clearing rainwater from the basement of an apartment complex near BTM Layout 2nd Stage, were given Rs 5 lakh each as compensation by the corporation.
On Wednesday, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) was also instructed to provide Rs 5 lakh each on humanitarian grounds.
Additionally, Rs 5 lakh will be given to the kin of a person killed in Koramangala due to a tree falling.
