Aamir Khan and Intolerance
It's not wrong on part of Aamir Khan to tell that India has become more intolerant recently,as everybody has right to express their opinions and perceptions.But to think of moving to other country is a serious blow to Indian pride and the betrayal of love and respect,we all fans have given him all these years.
When it comes to intolerance,no society can become 100% tolerant in practice,as there will be continuous clash of interests and views between different groups.Some fringe elements,without understanding the value of tolerance are bound to disturb it.In such a scenario,pragmatically we should aim to reduce intolerance to near zero,by keeping such elements under check.As per India is considered,we definitely are in a country,which is relatively more tolerant society compared to most of the other countries.It is a phenomenal achievement taking into account the vast diversity we have,which naturally increases the chances of intolerance.
Even if we consider the so called champion of freedom,the USA,there are more instances of racial hatred and lynching in it's history and present times.To proclaim us as relatively more tolerant,doesn't mean to give us a licence to engage in more intolerance.It is to say that we need not make rising intolerance a big issue,which echoes at global level,in ultimately creating a false picture of India as an intolerant nation.In carrying out this picture of intolerance out of proportion,we end up encouraging the radicalisation and extremism both in Hindus and Muslims as a reaction and counter-reaction.
Mr.Aamir Khan,in wanting to runaway from the country,which in his opinion is facing rise in intolerance shows his irresponsibility.As a responsible citizen of India,he should be willing to stay in India more than ever and use his celebrity status to make India a more tolerant nation.It is this irresponsibility that has hurt his fans.Therefore the huge reaction against his statement is not a sign of intolerance.It is expression of patriotism and love for the country by people.But we see some of the psedo-seculars giving communal colours to this reaction.They claim Narayan Murthy and Raghuram Rajan did not face such a strong reaction,when they made remarks on intolerance because they were hindus,while Aamir faced it because of his religion.But the real reason is Narayan Murthy and Raghuram rajan never talked of shifting to other countries.Mr.Rajan did his duty by urging the graduating students of IIT Delhi to develop tolerance in his speech.That is the quality of a responsible citizen.
As per the ongoing intolerance debate is concerned,there are two kind of people who are carrying it out.First are the people like Nayantara sehgal,Romila thapar etc. who have fed the power structure in place since sixty years and were patronized by it.Since the power equation has changed in recent times,they started feeling insecure and are equating this insecurity with intolerance.They are the ones returning the awards.Second are the people like Narayan Murthy,Raghuram Rajan etc. who are genuinely concerned about the slight increase in activities of right wing hindu extremist elements and are ringing alarm bell for the government.
It is the second set of people,we need to care about,while the first ones are selfish self serving creatures.
When it comes to Aamir Khan,with all respect,I would like to keep him in second category.But his remarks,that have gone behind expression of concern can never be justified.What can bring a sense of relief to all we fans is an apology for his statement regarding leaving the country.We loved him,respected him and watched his movies in first day-first show,without ever thinking to what religion he belongs.We made him a superstar,without ever thinking to what religion he belongs.That's what India is.
When it comes to intolerance,no society can become 100% tolerant in practice,as there will be continuous clash of interests and views between different groups.Some fringe elements,without understanding the value of tolerance are bound to disturb it.In such a scenario,pragmatically we should aim to reduce intolerance to near zero,by keeping such elements under check.As per India is considered,we definitely are in a country,which is relatively more tolerant society compared to most of the other countries.It is a phenomenal achievement taking into account the vast diversity we have,which naturally increases the chances of intolerance.
Even if we consider the so called champion of freedom,the USA,there are more instances of racial hatred and lynching in it's history and present times.To proclaim us as relatively more tolerant,doesn't mean to give us a licence to engage in more intolerance.It is to say that we need not make rising intolerance a big issue,which echoes at global level,in ultimately creating a false picture of India as an intolerant nation.In carrying out this picture of intolerance out of proportion,we end up encouraging the radicalisation and extremism both in Hindus and Muslims as a reaction and counter-reaction.
Mr.Aamir Khan,in wanting to runaway from the country,which in his opinion is facing rise in intolerance shows his irresponsibility.As a responsible citizen of India,he should be willing to stay in India more than ever and use his celebrity status to make India a more tolerant nation.It is this irresponsibility that has hurt his fans.Therefore the huge reaction against his statement is not a sign of intolerance.It is expression of patriotism and love for the country by people.But we see some of the psedo-seculars giving communal colours to this reaction.They claim Narayan Murthy and Raghuram Rajan did not face such a strong reaction,when they made remarks on intolerance because they were hindus,while Aamir faced it because of his religion.But the real reason is Narayan Murthy and Raghuram rajan never talked of shifting to other countries.Mr.Rajan did his duty by urging the graduating students of IIT Delhi to develop tolerance in his speech.That is the quality of a responsible citizen.
As per the ongoing intolerance debate is concerned,there are two kind of people who are carrying it out.First are the people like Nayantara sehgal,Romila thapar etc. who have fed the power structure in place since sixty years and were patronized by it.Since the power equation has changed in recent times,they started feeling insecure and are equating this insecurity with intolerance.They are the ones returning the awards.Second are the people like Narayan Murthy,Raghuram Rajan etc. who are genuinely concerned about the slight increase in activities of right wing hindu extremist elements and are ringing alarm bell for the government.
It is the second set of people,we need to care about,while the first ones are selfish self serving creatures.
When it comes to Aamir Khan,with all respect,I would like to keep him in second category.But his remarks,that have gone behind expression of concern can never be justified.What can bring a sense of relief to all we fans is an apology for his statement regarding leaving the country.We loved him,respected him and watched his movies in first day-first show,without ever thinking to what religion he belongs.We made him a superstar,without ever thinking to what religion he belongs.That's what India is.
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