“As India celebrates 75 years of independence, the state of free expression is under grave threat and is being mourned rather than celebrated,” said Karin Deutsch Karlekar, director of Free Expression at Risk Programs at PEN America. The letter states: “Free expression is the cornerstone of a robust democracy. Threats against free speech, academic freedom, and digital rights have accelerated in India in recent years. About PEN AmericaPEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect open expression in the United States and worldwide. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.

Source: The Guardian August 15, 2022 19:06 UTC