Democracy Thrives on Dissent, Not Blind Loyalty: Deepa Bhasthi

Democracy Thrives on Dissent, Not Blind Loyalty: Deepa Bhasthi

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, June 10, 2026: Booker Prize-winning writer and translator Deepa Bhasthi said that loving a country and supporting a government are not the same, stressing that democracy can survive only when citizens are free to question authority and express dissent.

Delivering the annual P.P. Gomathi Memorial Oration on the theme “Thinking as Dissent: Some Thoughts on Language and the World” on Tuesday, Bhasthi said a government is never synonymous with a nation and that the right to dissent through writing, speeches and other forms of expression is fundamental to democracy. “When dissent is suppressed, it can no longer be called democracy,” she said.

The programme was jointly organised by the P.P. Gomathi Memorial Education Trust, Mangalore University, Dakshina Kannada District Kannada Sahitya Parishat and the Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists’ Association.

Highlighting the cultural significance of language, Bhasthi said language carries a community’s art, architecture, ancestry and stories, describing Kannada as an emotion rather than merely a language.

She cautioned against the misuse of hate by those in power and said love remained a stronger force for social cohesion. Emphasising Karnataka’s linguistic diversity, she noted that the state is home to several vibrant languages, including Tulu, Beary, Kodava, Malayalam and Dakhani.

Bhasthi praised multilingualism as one of the greatest strengths of Karnataka and India, arguing that monolingualism is a colonial construct and that attempts to impose a single language on diverse populations should be resisted.

Responding to a question on Hindi imposition, she said there was no opposition to Hindi as a language but objected to its use as a tool to divide people. Similarly, she said the problem lay not with religions such as Hinduism or Islam but with radical forces that distort them.

She also challenged the notion of a “proper” English, calling for greater recognition of Indian English on par with Irish and Caribbean English. On the possibility of translating the Manusmriti, Bhasthi said she would consider it only if the opportunity and interest aligned.

Speaking about her translation of Hridaya Deepa, she said extensive research enabled her to approach the work beyond religious boundaries, adding that patriarchy affects all communities and that the stories carry universal themes.

Bhasthi expressed strong reservations about the use of artificial intelligence in creative fields. While acknowledging its value in medicine and scientific research, she said AI-generated books, paintings and artworks undermine human creativity. Urging students to critically evaluate online content, she encouraged them to read more poetry, e-books and audiobooks.