Prominent journalist and former editor-in-chief of The Hindu, N Ram, while speaking at a public discussion titled 'Dissent and Democracy', emphasises the need to argue theoretically and intellectually in favour of the freedom of speech and expression. Political liberalism often proves to be weak when it defends this against authoritarian forces, he says. Ram feels that we need to link freedom of speech with the fight for justice, and with the support for the struggles of the marginalised, non-privileged, working poor, Dalits and other oppressed sections of the Indian society.
