Inconsistencies and Contradictions

 Contempt is a notion defined with pre-existence of sense of self. If I do not possess ego, a sense of self, then I will not get offended by any contempt thrown at me. Yet, contempt plays a role in society in terms of a signal. We learn by experiences, but we chose through signals. I decide to buy based on reviews, which are signals. I decide to choose a path of education based on signals. Contempt can change the nature of signals about a person, an organization and an institution and change in signals can bring change in response of clients. This is the logic of reaction of supreme court, that if nature of perception of Supreme court changes due to contemptuous statements about supreme court then it will lead to  harm of the nation as Indians will use the institution of Supreme court in sub-optimal manner. It is a kind of utilitarian or consequential logic. The objection of Prashant Bhushan (PB) remark is not out of the nature of remarks per say, but due to the consequences.  I do not

 Freedom of expression (henceforth, FoE in this blog post) is our favorite shrine to pay the lip service. This time, it is the incidence of Bloomsbury publication withdrawing a book on Delhi riots. It is book written by Hindutva activists, to put forward their explanation of riots that took place in Delhi in February 2020. Publication company has decided to withdraw or 'pulp' the book after an event prior to official launch of book attracted criticism from anti-right camp. Pulping of the book has been met with accusation of selective application of FoE from dry and sundry of the Hindutva camp.  As much I understand, lamenting of the Hindutva camp over selecting application of FoE is completely misplaced. Private agents can act which involves curtailing the expression of other agents. It is part of the freedom guaranteed to them as long as it falls under legal framework guarding two parties. For example, employers have right to fire their employees as per their discretion and so