(Fanaa)tic Political Agendas
Yesterday, I spent good part of my evening flickering thru news channel. Obviously the high-light and main focus of all the channels was Aamir Khan and his on-going battle with BJP.
Some were showing Aamir’s interview, clarifying his stance on the Sardar Sarovar Dam subject and on the other hand we had Actor-cum-Politician Shatrughan Singha neither supporting nor disapproving his party member’s demand that Aamir should apologies for his recent statements on the issue.
To say that BJP is blowing this whole matter out of proportion and trying to enforce their power on an individual wouldn’t be anything new. In the past there have been several other political parties, religious groups, etc who have restored to un-civilized and at times extremely brutal tactics, just to get their point across and suppress the ones who question their motives.
Today’s Times Of India headline, shouted something like, “Aamir dares the BJP“, which in my opinion is utter bull-shit. Anyone who saw the Aamir’s televised interview would agree that he in no way challenged or insulted the concerned political party. Instead he acknowledged that BJP has several respectable and intelligent leaders, who understand and believe that ‘everyone has a right to his/her own opinion’. He also urged the people of Gujarat to support him on the rehabilitation issue and help the needy.
It’s sad to see that (some) leading newspapers instead of providing factual information - try and add more fuel to the fire with mis-leading headlines; just to increase their circulation.
The most important question that we need to answer is, “Does Democracy truly exists in India?”
A country where women are subjected to religious outburst for their choice of clothes, where women have to think twice before expressing their views on sexuality, where students are subjected to Police thrashing because of using their right to protest, where religious groups are threatened by screening of an ordinary movie, where witnesses turn hostile cause speaking the truth is seen more harmful - No! Democracy doesn’t exist here, its only meant to be in our text books, its only an illusion of our imagination.
Aamir, I am with you. Our views may clash but like you, I still do believe that each one of us has the right to voice our opinion and we shall not let any damn person take that away from us.
Jab saaz hai, aawaaz hai, phir kis liye hichkichaanaOh, gaayenge hum apne dilon ka taraana
Bigade duniya, bigadne bhi do
Jhagade duniya, jhagadne bhi do
Lade jo duniya, ladne bhi do, hum apni dhun gaao
Duniya roothe, roothne do
Bandhan toote, tootne do
Koi chhoote, chhootne do, na ghabraao
Hum hain naye, andaaz kyoon ho puraana
Oh, hum hain naye, andaaz kyoon ho puraana [Link]
We all have a right to express our views. In many instances; it will be against ours and in some; with us. To hear them out is 'decency' but to let them get to you is 'weakness'. 
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May 26th, 2006 at 9:15 am | #
The most important question that we need to answer is, “Does Democracy truly exists in India?â€
A country where women are subjected to religious outburst for their choice of clothes, where women have to think twice before expressing their views on sexuality, where students are subjected to Police thrashing because of using their right to protest, where religious groups are threatened by screening of an ordinary movie, where witnesses turn hostile cause speaking the truth is seen more harmful - No! Democracy doesn’t exist here, its only meant to be in our text books, its only an illusion of our imagination.
To be fair, the existance of a democracy does not mean any of this does not happen. Democracy does not mean individual freedoms. Or even the right to protest. Whether a meaningful democracy requires these is another point altogether, and even that is debatable.
India is a Democracy, and has been since more than fifty years. The individual freedoms and rights have sadly been missing. Confusing the two merely weakens the argument.
By the way - no preview while posting comments?
May 26th, 2006 at 9:49 am | #
Gera - As far as I am aware, there is no clear-cut, universal definition of Democracy. Our own understanding, experience and beliefs should be incorporated to create a definition (of Democracy) that is meaningful and practical in our everyday life.
In my opinion, Democracy exists regular people live their life free from political oppression or authoritarian rule. And the examples I have mentioned, clearly indicate that it’s not being followed in its true form.
One of the textbook definition of Democracy, “A system of government in which supreme authority lies with the people.” Do you really think this happens in India?
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May 26th, 2006 at 4:38 pm | #
Sakshi: You ask a very pertinent question and this could very easily turn into a debate here. The obvious cliched answer is we didnt get to live under the British (for example) and so we can not appreciate the system that we have right now…
I totally agree with the fact that we should be able to have our own opinions and voice our opinions. I also agree with you that a normal person will not get away with the above always as the power exists with a small minority of the population.
But, at the same time, I think this is our own doing. How much civic responsibility does the average Indian citizen really have? I can give you as many examples as you have given for how careless we are and some of these will be even episodes from my own life. I am borrowing a certain phrase made popular by a comic/movie “With great power comes great responsibiliy.” Until you learn to live with this responsibility, I dont think we will have a balanced democracy.
May 26th, 2006 at 5:27 pm | #
Anurag - I agree with everything you have said. But don’t you think we need to make a start somewhere? And now we have people doing excatly that…so just get together and support them, surely it aint as hard as it sounds.
May 26th, 2006 at 6:14 pm | #
Your question should have been, “how does the miracle of democracy still exist in India?”. By the people, to the people, for the people. Thats what we were taught in our schools. The funny thing is, it works. People have a voice and they can put it across.
Thats the best thing about democracy.
May 26th, 2006 at 8:43 pm | #
sakshi: My point is not that we should take it lying down. We should all respect and support people who use peaceful means to give voice to their opinions. My point is that we should not blame the system for a democracy gone wrong. My point is that we, the citizens of India, should really take up the responsibility, be good citizens, and try to make the system as close to perfection as possible for, believe it or not, we finally MAKE the system.
May 27th, 2006 at 2:55 pm | #
I hate Aamir Khan especially since he started mumbling gibberish on Narmada dam.
These days I switch off the TV the moment he appears on the screen. And that means no more coca cola ads for me.
May 29th, 2006 at 10:30 am | #
Sakshi,
I must say aamir khan is going with the anti-dam guys just for some publicity. He doesnt understand the whole issue, and just messing things up with his rang-de-basanti zeal.
I dont think he is genuinely interested. After all, the place in Mumbai where he lives is the place where poor fishermen were kicked out and land reclaimed from the sea.
Aamir says - I am not anti-dam.
Fact is that medha and arundhati are, and aamir supports them.. Didnt arundhati encroach reserved forest land to build her home, recently. It was in the news but it did not get much publicity. If aamir is not anti-dam, he must dissociate from arundhati roy and medha patkar.
Aamir says - I am not anti-Gujarat.
I saw aamir talking on TV(or did the channel guys get a duplicate aamir to boost their TRPs) - “Dekho aap logo ne kisko vote diya hai. Mera kehna hai ke aap soch samaj kar vote dein” - or something to that effect. Now, this guys goes on to doubt the people of gujarat. aamir needs to know that there are people in gujarat (or for that matter, whole of India) who are much more intelligent and smarter than him. Just like he doesnt like being abused for voicing his opinions, the same way, people dont like being admonished on whom they vote for. By the way, aamir seemed to think that whole of Gujarat votes for Modi, which is not true (In fact, BJP and congress won almost equal number of seats in gujarat during the last general elections).
aamir says - i am a muslim thats why you are doing all this.
Fact is that no earlier movie of his was banned in Gujarat earlier. aamir should realize that this has nothing to do with his religion but his stupid views instead. Wasnt he a muslim earlier. Or the people just realized that. He seems to be playing the minority card now, like Salman and Azhar.
Disclaimer: Before other commentors flame me, let me tell you that I am not a Gujarati, I am a Sindhi. (Now now, ok, dont abuse Sindhis).
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