 |
| ImageCourtesy: http://www.quotehd.com |
Everyone seems to be more than happy to join the debate on
how “Tolerant" or “Intolerant", we, as a nation, are? From
Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter or chat groups, everyone has their own
version of how we as a nation are doing on tolerance levels.
All hell broke loose when, during a debate, Aamir Khan,
India's famous superstar admitted that his wife was scared to live in the
country. Aamir Khan incidentally raked in more than 300 Cr on his last
release, by taking pot-shots in a lighter vein on mostly Hinduism and showcased
how some people in the name of religion misuse the trust and devotion of millions
to capitalise on their fears.
The movie PK was good and deserved the response it got, but
is there any need to create a controversy before his upcoming release? Especially so,
since his movies always get a positive response from the vast majority of the masses. When his
wife, who is a Hindu, quoted that she is not feeling safe in the current
atmosphere, was she referring to the growing intolerance from the current
regime or she was talking from the past experiences? We all know how Mumbai
felt during 26/11 or infamous Bombay blasts in 1993. Several other noted
personalities came out strongly both in favour of and against what he thought
and said.
Fine: I believe that every individual is free to express
his own views whether it is positive or negative, despite his social standing
in the society. One of our fundamental rights is that anyone and everyone is
free to express his/her opinion on and no one can deny him this right.
Yes, this IS a tolerant country where you can mock Hindu
gods and still rake in money and Yes this IS an intolerant country where you
are not free to speak what you are actually feeling. The radicalisation of
religion in any form is not good for any civil society.
The hype and hoopla created by this statement was uncalled
for, unnecessary and unwarranted by any standards. Let’s work towards a society
where religion and opinion are not at loggerheads and people have other things
to do rather than fighting on statements and triggers to disrupt communal
tolerance.
