Why Are You Afraid Of Books?

The books are powerful. The library is more powerful and the public and open libraries can ignite the revolutions and transformation. Why would any court question reading of the classics like War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy?

During the hearing of the “Urban Naxal” case in the Bombay High Court on Wednesday, Bombay High Court asked Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case accused Vernon Gonsalves to explain why he kept “objectionable material” such as a copy of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace at his home.

It would be interesting to know if the judges have read this classic. The books are sometimes not innocent and they embody the intention of the author and many books are political in nature. Only the analytical and independent mind can discern the nature and intent of a book.

The court said, “Nature of the books, suggest that you are a part of a banned organisation.”

Before the advent of technology, the books were a rare and precious commodity and could be pawned. Now in the era of mass production, the books are easily accessible. With digital technology, all the major works of great masters are available online. So the physical possession is not the only way to read the books.

The matter of questioning the possession of a certain book is related much to what is called thought policing.

Do we have the right to think? Are there any reasonable restrictions to the right to think?

Unlike other rights, which can be the gift of the state, the right to think is self-evident and the fact by virtue of which we become human beings. Can anyone be controlled to think one thought and not the other?

The answer is resounding yes. The institutional religion, the authoritarian state, the delusion mass media has the power to make us think in particular ways. The masses can be deluded and consent can be manufactured.

One of the aspects of democracy is to promote evidence-based thinking and encourage people to think. Thinking is not an easy task when it comes to the training of the mind in the pursuit of the truth and truth is often something that can change. Thinking independently needs a mind that holds the belief in suspension and use them tentatively to move further to understand something.

Books can be called the frozen thoughts and they only thaw with the interaction of the engaged brain. The books are lazy machines as taught by the literary philosopher.

Some books are however violent machines and they provide a model for violence and discrimination. One such book is ManuSmriti and the honourable judge must question why people practice it and why Manu stands on the legal pedestal.

Good books are not only important for the wellbeing of the individual but also societies. War and Peace is a good book. Questioning it exposes that some people are the enemies of good books and good thinking.

Author – Mangesh Dahiwale, Human Rights Activist

Editor – Maybe as a protest against such rulings from Brahminical courts, we all should buy a copy of Leo Tolstoy’s War and Peace!