THE IDEA: To celebrate free speech and to protest book bans, censorship in the arts and curbs on free expression.
WHY FEBRUARY 14TH?
For two reasons. In 1989, the Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa ordering the death of Salman Rushdie for writing the Satanic Verses. In GB Shaw’’s words: “Assassination is the extreme form of censorship.”
February 14th or Valentine’s Day has also become a flashpoint in India, a day when protests against “Western culture” by the Shiv Sena have become an annual feature. In Chandigarh, 51 Sena activists were arrested by the police after V-day protests turned violent in 2011. Our hope is to take back the day, and observe it as a day dedicated to the free flow of ideas, speech and expression.
#flashreads is a simple way of registering your protest against the rising intolerance that has spread across India in the last few decades. At any time on February 14th—we suggest 3 pm, but pick a time of your convenience—go out with a friend or a group of friends and do a quick reading
For instance, you could read AK Ramanujan’s Three Hundred Ramayanas,which was withdrawn from Delhi University’s syllabus after protests from Hindu right wing groups.
Read more here: http://akhondofswat.blogspot.in/2012/02/flashreads-for-february-14th.html