Cultural policing in India is dangerous: Nandita Das

Voicing her concern about the growing environment of intolerance and throttling of the voice of expression in the country, acclaimed actress-filmmaker Nandita Das says this kind of cultural policing is dangerous for a democracy like India.

The 46-year-old ‘Earth’ actress feels it is crucial to give importance to every opinion as that is the only way one can learn to respect what others have to say.

"Even in film festivals where I have been to as a jury member; there are a lot of different viewpoints. And it’s okay as that is how we slowly educate ourselves with the perspective of another person and that way our own thinking will evolve and change.

"I think this throttling of the voice and this kind of cultural policing that is happening is extremely dangerous," said Nandita. Calling India one of the most stable democracies the actress said it is necessary for people of the country to save their freedom of expression.

"We are one of the most stable democracies in the South-East Asian region. All other countries look up to us as the biggest pillar of democracy. So we must protect our freedom of expression."