A KP Madhu Bambroo writes/advices on attitudes towards Haider prompted by a FB Events page for a protest against Haider . It will be foolish to comment on it without reading all of the piece. _______________________________ I am not an extremist, and dont have extreme view on anything, except honesty, integrity and science. I find human rights to be an inviolable part of my existence, even though religion is not my strong point So my logic on such matters may be unacceptable to people with religious point of view,but would appeal to social activists who stand up for human rights, and are pro choice. In this matter, I believe everyone has a right to their religion. And one must adhere to the expression do unto others what you would like others do unto you. Everyone should take their cue from Islamic traditions, and stay away from controversial actions that may be seen as being desecrating - Mecca and Medina is off limits to non Muslims and there is peace and calm there in those cities. Just because someone gives me permission to enter their religious domain, does not mean that I HAVE TO, or MUST enter it. And if I choose to, then it must be with utmost respect, and with a spirit of curiosity. (I personally am a traditional Hindu, but attend Church every Sunday since the local temple is hijacked by materialistic and wealthy Hindus, people who I believe are far removed from God. The point is, one can find personal God everyone and anywhere). Any other intent is blasphemous. Simple decency demands that we give others the same courtesy as we gives to ourselves and to our own. We must demand equal courtesy as well, and that is the least one can do in this world. I agree the shot could have been filmed anywhere else. On this basis, and on this basis alone, I would fight for my rights to my religion and against any person who attempts to make light of my rights. However, and this however is important and most people seem to have missed it. The issue here is not a Hindu Muslim controversy at all, even though it is being made into one. Has this sacrilege been emphasized only because the film is about Muslims of Kashmir ? Would our reaction be different if the same song had been shot for a movie about Christians, about renegade Hindus, or if it had been some usual stupid Hindi movie with a heroine baring it all ? Are Zeenat Amans vulgar gyrations and phallic symbolizations in Satyam Shivam Sundaram any less offensive ? Eaaau, For the last 30 years, not once have I been able to see that song (Satyam Shivam Sundaram) without shutting my eyes in disgust. The picturization of that song on Zeenat Aman was offence to our religion, and the rendering of that song by Lata ji, who, in that song, feels like Maa Saraswati. And yet no one else but me seemed to have a problem with that disgusting song/movie! And it was not a Muslim who produced, directed the movie, it was great Raj Kapoor. And it was based on a Hindu family.Was that any less disgusting than this ? I think not ! You can think of in terms of Ghar ka bhedi Lanka dhaye, or you can remember Paninayee cocker nai bad aasihe....etc etc The devil isnt out there, it resides within each one of us... How exactly are Islam or Muslims involved in this movie ? It is Vishal Bhardwaj who has been foolish, has disrespected and desecrated a religious site. He could have filmed just any movie and my response SHOULD have been the same. But I have a sinking feeling that if this movie was not about Muslims, no one would have batted an eyelid. What does that say about us and our devotion to our religion ? Are we subjectively, relativistically religious ? Religious only in context ? Do our religious instincts kick in only in context of Islam and Muslims, or is our religiosity innate, one that defines us for real, regardless of others ? For it is Vishal alone - a Hindu - who should be made to compensate for his misconduct, regardless of the theme of the movie. Muslims, or the issues related to Kashmir issues, are incidental, and have nothing to do with the actual act. I dont agree that this is Hindu-Muslim problem, and there is no reason why we should target Muslims, or even talk about Muslims, or Kashmiris. In simpler words, this is like the issues Muslim world had against Salman Rushdie. It is an intra-religious matter. And it must be treated as such, and must remain limited to intra-religious issue. I dont understand why most communities, and people are screaming Hindu-Muslim strife. What do Muslims in Kashmir have to do with Haider, except that someone - a Hindu - has written directed and produced a movie about them - I assume without their permission. I could make a movie about bats, or donkeys, but the bats,or donkeys, can hardly be blamed and held responsible for my infractions. Let us not become delusional, and paranoid. Let us not dilute our arguments by including things, people, events, intentions that are not there, that do not belong there, let us just remain focused on Vishal Bhardwaj and his misdeed, let us all concentrate on undoing what he has done, and ensure that no one - esp not any Hindu - in the future is allowed such liberties. And while we are at it, we might as well review all movies and make a list that must not be repeated. That would be much more productive. A useless venomous display of hatred against people who have nothing to do with this event only weakens the argument. Let us all make our behavior consistent with what we want to achieve.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 09:01:53 +0000
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