So I heard today that I needed to write a 500 word article
today. Writing isn’t a problem. I can write. But things like writer’s block,
low self-confidence, insufficient vocabulary, etc. come in the way of writing;
which again is fine!
What’s not fine is other people stopping me from writing
what I want to, what I feel to and what I need to.
The problem lies in the fact that I am asked to Shut Up
before the sentence is complete, that I am asked to apologize before the conclusion
is reached, that my writings are banned before they understand what I really
want to say.
I should have the freedom to write according to my whim and
fancy. Sounds too bold! But that’s a fact.
To accept it or not is one’s own discretion. And so is it to
write or not!
I was asked to write a 500 word article today and I thought “Hey!
I can do that.” But then mean thoughts started to creep into my head.
Ugly voices started saying, “No. you can’t write that, it’s
apolitical.” “How could you criticize a mantri
who has been elected by you, at your own will?” “Who are you talking ill
about, the ones who can come after you once they read about it?” “You could be
detained, arrested, imprisoned, and a lot more” “People are burned, bruised,
shot, threatened and what not!”
So I paused, pondered and backspaced all that I’d written.
I was told that I needed to write 500 words. And I thought “Hey!
Can I do that?” and then I thought why not? I can write about everything under
the Sun (umm.. well.. almost!).
When I was told I was to write 500 words, I thought maybe it’s
a Big Deal. But then what harm can 500 words actually do?
I could defame someone and so could I apologize. I could
ruin someone’s reputation but restore it by foiling mine. I could expose some
wrongdoing but soon it will be one among the many. I could make a good man look
bad, but only to a few. I could probably also write something scandalous, like
something one had never heard before, but then there’s a first time to
everything right?
It’s problematic when it’s an official document, but is it
so if it’s a personal blog?
If opinions of common men don’t matter among the powerful,
why do common man’s writings, tarring their image matter so much to them?
If I knew I could write my 500 words without any fear, I could
write better. I’m sure I would. But with the fear of reprimand, I thought I’d
write about my feelings. Unless this too is outrageous, hurting religious
feelings of any group, I see this writing as completely innocent. But as they
say, ‘Trouble does not knock on the door before it arrives’
Nevertheless, living up to my word, I somehow managed
writing this piece. With this, I end my 500 words!
