Vir Sanghvi, Chandan Mitra and Barkha discussing...

It was interesting to watch Vir Sanghvi, Chandan Mitra, Farooq Sheikh and Barkha Dutt discussing freedom of expression, especially, in the context of MF Hussain's paintings and growing intolerance.

While Vir Snaghvi seemed to have a clear idea about the agenda of the 'chat show', Mitra appeared a prisoner of his political leanings. It was sad to see him argue without proper reason.

The man whose writings I loved to read, is now forced to support a regressive ideology and speak in accordance with the BJP's fundamentalist mindset. It was not the Chandan Mitra, we have seen or read over the years.

Naturally, when ideology overcomes reason, one ends up making a fool of himself. He looked a pale comparison of past. Surprisingly, Farooq Sheikh came out as an intellectually profound person. He had his opinion and articulated his thoughts well.