Free speech is the symbol of a free nation and free citizens. It is the very essence of a parliamentary democracy that binds and empowers people to discharge their duties, obligations and demonstrate their deep sense of nationalism with ferocious pride. The voice of people at the time of national crisis should be heard most clearly for ‘Vox Populi, Vox Dei’ ‘the voice of the people is the voice of God. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)—Article 19 states that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. There are numerous questions that lurk underneath the cliché regarding our valuing of free speech. This paper considers some material facts with regards to free speech and expression, dissent, right to silence and right to protest etc. In the hostile climate of rampant intolerance, this article seeks to find out as to why and how political silence shows it spunk in different circumstances. Apart from discussing roles and origins of strikes and lock-outs, this paper gives a very interesting insight into an assessment of their social values.

Keywords: free speech, right to protest, strikes and lock-outs, dissent, right to silence, political English

DOI: http://doi.one/10.1732/IJLMH.25472