What kind of nation interrogates children for sedition?

February 07, 2020 11:19

Three years ago, Narendra Damodardas Modi said: 'You are free to criticise me. Constructive criticism makes our democracy stronger and is vital.' Two years ago, he reiterated: 'I want this government to be criticised. Criticism makes democracy strong.'

In 2020, the Karnataka police, which acted on a complaint by an ABVP activist, appears to be treating the honourable PM's words (and democracy) as a joke.

The joke plays on in loop: The police have turned up five times at the school to question over 80 students, most of whom had nothing to do with the play.

Among the searching questions they have asked: Did the school coerce them into making statements against the prime minister?

What role did teachers play in organising the play?

Was the script changed to accommodate the 'insulting' dialogues?

Where did they practise?

Why was a flag used?

Teaching lessons is the objective behind every school. For the moment, a state seems intent to teach a lesson -- that students of Classes 4, 5 and 6 can wage war against the mighty Indian nation, writes Krishna Prasad. Read the column here.

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