In a recent debate in NDTV, I found an interesting argument – In a democracy every person has the right to choose the wrong. Well, I agree with this argument in the cases where one person’s choosing the wrong does not intrude into other person’s personal space or offend other person’s feelings. If that is not the case then the person choosing to do wrong is entitled to be punished. Say, for example, even though smoking is a wrong thing to do, a person can still choose the wrong thing (as in democracy), but should make sure that it does not in anyway affect others.

The most surprising thing that I noticed during the debate was that some persons were trying to justify the act of burning the National Flag as a mark of protest. The issue, which should have been out of debate, was being debated in a spiritless manner. While I agree that unintentional disrespect of the national flag can be forgiven, I believe that intentional disrespect of the national flag should be entitled to punishment. Disrespecting the flag that is respected by all the true Indians, would be an insult to their feelings. If a person insults or burns the national flag, the natural thing he is trying to do is insulting the nation and its people. I could not find any other meaning to their act. So, naturally they should be punished.

I sincerely hope that some day, people and media will become matured enough to stop justifying the unethical acts in the name of democracy and freedom of expression. Democracy does not give anyone the complete freedom - with the right to hurt other’s feelings.