question_answer 7)

Are these cases instances of violation of the right to freedom? If yes, which constitutional provision does each violate?   (i) The Government of India banned Salman Rushdie's book The Satanic Verses on the ground that it was disrespectful to Prophet Mohammed and was likely to hurt the feelings of the Muslim community.   (ii) Every film has to be approved by the Censor Board of the Government before it can be shown to the public. But there is no such restriction if the same story is published in a book or a magazine.   (iii) The government is considering a proposal that there will be industrial zones or sectors of the economy where workers will not be allowed to form unions or go on strike.   (iv) City administration has imposed a ban on use of public microphones after 10 PM in view of the approaching secondary school examinations.  

Answer:

(i) Yes, this violates the right to freedom of thought and expression.   (ii) Yes, this violates the right to freedom of thought and expression.   (iii) Yes, this violates the right to freedom to form associations and unions.   (iv) No, this is not a violation of the right to freedom because the Constitution guarantees freedom to a group of people as long as that freedom does not affect or hamper any other freedom of anyone else. Also the ban is imposed in the larger interests of the people.