Sir — This refers to the editorial, “One show, many shades” (February 12). What was shown at the AIB show was obnoxious and miles away from the stature of film-maker Karan Johar, considered a creative and socially responsible person. Free speech does not mean the licence to use abusive language on a public platform. It has become a tendency to say something absurd and then offer an apology. This is what AIB show producers did, but the damage has been inflicted. A simple rule of self-regulation in freedom of expression is that one should not hurt anybody by one’s words, written or spoken or through any art form.
This should be followed more strictly by the people in public life and the celebrities, whom the younger generation looks upon as its icon. Be it Salman Rushdie, MF Husain, Charlie Hebdo, the numerous clerics of various religions, those in politics, or the AIB show — all have tried to gain cheap popularity.