Censorship is a form of suppression. The suppression may be achieved by a crackdown on various modes of communication; written, spoken or televised. The basis of a crackdown is materials that are objectionable, harmful, sensitive or inconvenient. The crackdown is often conducted by governing bodies, private institutions or other controlling bodies.

The history of censorship goes back to 399 BC when Greek philosopher Socrates’ philosophical teachings were censored by the Athenian government. Socrates, in turn, was charged with corrupting the minds of Athenian youth. He was sentenced to death by drinking Hemlock.

Plato, the student of Socrates, recorded the conviction and advocated censorship in his essay ’ The Republic. In contrast to Plato, the Greek playwright Euripides defended the liberty of free men and speech. In fact, in 1766, Sweden became the first country to abolish censorship by law.

Censorship has been criticized throughout history. It is unfair and acts as a roadblock to progress. In literature, censorship is often used to impose moral values and do away with the material considered obscene. E.M. Forster was a strong opponent of censorship. He believed that censoring materials on the grounds of obscenity or immorality is immaterial as moral values are in constant flux. In 1960, when Lady Chatterley’s Lover was put on trial, he wrote: “Lady Chatterley’s Lover is a literary work of importance…. I do not think that it could be held obscene.” Thomas Hardy gave up writing novels after the clamour over Jude the Obscure.

Censorship is not only moral but military, political, religious and corporate. One such example of religious censorship is the condemnation of Salman Rushdie’s novel ‘The Satanic Verses’ by Iranian leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.

Book censorship is in a constant state of flux. Books once deemed acceptable are being banned and vice versa.  Well, one thing is true- opinions not supported by the majority are deemed evil. Classics like ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird’, ‘Huckleberry Finn’ and ‘Grapes of Wrath’ have been challenged by parents for their use of racist language and marginalization of Black characters. Such challenges have often led publishing houses to whitewash offensive words and rewrite books. A recent example is the works of Roald Dhal. The move received backlash from Rushdie, recovering from an attack, by calling it ‘absurd censorship’.

The aim behind leaving the book as it is is to let children read independently and shoulder the responsibility for the past. The young sensibilities should be in the process of reform rather than being handed reformed texts.