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'There is no democracy without dissent': Tharoor writes to PM

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 10/9/2019 11:17:24 AM

New Delhi, Oct 8 Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday came out in support of 49 celebrities against whom an FIR was lodged last week in Bihar's Muzaffarpur for writing a letter -- underlining the rise of mob lynchings in India -- to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a letter, the Trivandrum MP expressed concerns over the filing of FIR and implored the prime minister to publically welcome dissent even if it was against him or his government. Tweeting pictures of his letter, the Congress leader wrote: "Urging all those who believe in #FreedomOfExpression to send this or similar letters to @PMOIndia @narendramodi urging him to affirm the constitutional principle of our Article 19 rights & the value of democratic dissent -- even if more FIRs follow as a result! #SaveFreeSpeech." Tharoor urged PM Modi to assure the nation of his commitment to upholding the freedom of expression even when it involves disagreement with him or his government. The Congress MP has asked the Prime Minister to protect the values embedded in the Constitution including Fundamental Right of Freedom of Speech and Expression embedded under Article 19 (1)(a).