Indian Supreme Court Judge Emphasizes Dissent as Essential Democratic Liberty

Right to question not defiance, every dissent not a threat: SC judge

Supreme Court judge Ujjal Bhuyan stressed that governments must listen to citizens and allow dissent. He stated that questioning is an essential expression of citizenship and liberty in democracies. Universities should foster free thinking and encourage students to ask difficult questions. Intolerance undermines the constitutional framework when disagreement is silenced or punished. A democracy's maturity is shown by its response to unpopular or inconvenient opinions.

By DHANANJAY MAHAPATRA