Should books be banned?

cynic

On World Book Day, let's debate a rather controversial topic.

What are your views on books being banned? A reader has a choice of not reading a book they think is offensive. Why the need to censor? In fact, a banned book rakes up more curiosity.

What is your opinion about this?

jhsurti

Meself 24-4-2018 10:15 AM
I stand against the concept of ban unless and until it is a matter of national security. The problem ...

Fully agree with you there. These days, as you rightly said, people's tolerence has gone down. And I personally think, these people who talk about "thes" are actually in a minority but they have a hold on the majority. Because they can create the noise! Where is freedom of writing in such cases? If one cannot agree or cannot tolerate the writing, one doesn't need to buy or read the book. Simple. Who forces you to read?

surekh

Mark Twain said, "Censorship is telling a man he can't have steak because a baby can't chew it." Enough said.

Meself

I stand against the concept of ban unless and until it is a matter of national security. The problem with people today is that they get offended on a drop of a hat which is ridiculous if your ask me.




Writers and their work should be viewed subjectively. They have a different view-point to offer, to which we do not have to agree to necessarily. Banning a book just because it hurts someone's sentiments or would cause a certain amount of uproar is so, so very stupid. I remember Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses as the hoo-ha created around it. Let me tell you it's an average stuff. It's his view and opinions that he has put forward and no you don't have to agree to it. But don't strip people of their choices. If someone wants to read it, let them. This "thes" business needs to stop. Banning is never a solution; instead it's more of a free publicity.

rkrishnay

Never ever. Writing books actually influenced our society over a period of time. So they are inseparable part of human evolution

cynic

Playing the devil's advocate here. Is writing a controversial book a marketing strategy?

Meself

cynic 24-4-2018 12:35 PM
Playing the devil's advocate here. Is writing a controversial book a marketing strategy?

I don't personally think so. Controversial subjects and topics have always been explored; be it in the era gone by or in the present times. I feel writers today have a better way to voice their opinions and hence they churn out plots that people will read with an open mind. But the problem is, with the rise of this open-mindedness the closeted thinking too is raising it's ugly head. Hence everything; that is even remotely connected to a taboo or a controversial hue; creates massive outrage.

KayKayBooks

Sometimes I wonder if it was banning that got a book all the publicity it would otherwise may not have. Most of the time people who raise objections seem to have only heard of certain things out of the book misquoted and out of context. And what they find objectionable may only be their twisted perspective. So banning books is never right. The readers must make their own choices.

Meself

KayKayBooks 26-4-2018 03:39 AM
Sometimes I wonder if it was banning that got a book all the publicity it would otherwise may not ha ...

It does. Look at Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie. The book is average to be precise, yet it being banned by so many led it to become a bestsellar.

jhsurti

KayKayBooks 26-4-2018 03:39 AM
Sometimes I wonder if it was banning that got a book all the publicity it would otherwise may not ha ...

Has happened a few times in history. So yes, it can lead one to think if the controversy was knowingly generated in some cases? I agree to the out of context reference to quotes.

cynic

I agree with Shivani and jhsurti. There is also paid media that makes sure controversies do not die down.