Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday said a large number of people, including activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bharadwaj and Anand Teltumbde, are under detention for their words, although none of them is accused of hitting anyone or possessing a gun.
He also said that words and ideas may outlast power and authority.
The Thiruvananthapuram MP and author of several books was speaking at the Symbiosis International University Literary Festival via video-conferencing.
"When I was in school, I learnt that the pen is mightier than the sword. Today, I have seen our country, its politics and its discourse. I am no longer convinced it is," he said.
"I am sorry to say, but words and ideas may outlast power and authority. Power and authority in the short term can crush the words," the Congress leader said.
"We have seen that a large number of people are under detention for words they have expressed. Currently, people like Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj and Anand Teltumbde are under detention for their words. No one is accused of throwing a stone, hitting someone or possessing a gun or anything like that. It's only about the words. So, how will the pen stand up to the sword if the pen is wielded to the authority of the government of the day," he said.
Varavara Rao, Vernon Gonsalves, Sudha Bharadwaj, Anand Teltumbde and some other activists have been arrested for their alleged Maoist links and for their alleged involvement in inciting a mob to violence in Koregaon Bhima near Pune on January 1, 2018.
Violence had erupted in Koregaon Bhima allegedly after provocative speeches were made during the Elgar Parishad conclave held a day earlier at Shaniwarwada in Pune city.
"Something Wrong With Indian Men If...": Shashi Tharoor On Mollywood #MeToo High Court Refuses To Cancel Defamation Case Against Shashi Tharoor Over "Scorpion" Remark "Will Be A Very Fine Gesture": Shashi Tharoor On PM Modi's Ukraine Visit Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report INDIA's "Hit With Footwear" Protest In Mumbai Over Shivaji Statue Collapse Nurse Molested By Patient During Late Night Shift At West Bengal Hospital PM's Shivaji Statue Collapse Apology Smacked Of Arrogance: Uddhav Thackeray Who Was Hersh Goldberg-Polin, US Citizen Who Was Killed By Hamas In Gaza UGC NET June Re-Exam 2024: Admit Cards For 4 Centers Released Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.