“It is not the first incident of its kind. Artists, historians, writers and actors who do not subscribe to cultural fundamentalism have been subjected to torture and humiliation by the so-called guardians of ‘our national culture’. Such high-handedness in the name of culture is not only immoral and uncivil, it is also against the republican and secular ideals of the Indian Constitution,” said Prof Manjit Singh, Convener, Voices of Civil Society. He expressed serious concern over the rise of self-styled guardians in the Indian polity.

Dr Rabinder Nath Sharma, Senator, addressing the gathering, cautioned against the growing Talibanisation of South Asian culture. He asked, “Do we wish to live as a free citizens or are we here to condone the acts of cultural barbarism as minor aberrations?”