Sir, The interview was good. Shobha does a good job of it.However, as a reader, I will always have my questions. I would like to list them and hope Mr. Kumar reads and reflects.. Mr. Kumar seems upset by the Hindu right. Does he realise that it was these forces that were a solace for the Sikhs during those terrible times? Even an inveterate Hindutva hater like Khushwant Singh acknowledges this fact. Mr. Kumar speaks about intolerance against works of art.Is the Hindu right unique?How did the communists treat Taslima?What about Godse's play?Hindu intolerance in India is not ideological,it is because of a lack of understanding.In fact,the Right has been a lot more tolerant in this respect when compared with the left or the congress. Mr.Kumar speaks about Buddhism.This is truly an old odd tale.History speaks of "But Shikan"...Idol Breaker..when referring to Islamic invaders.There is a scolarly debate on this subject.Maybe Mr. Kumar would like to join it?In any case..the charge of Brahminical oppression of Buddhism falls in the category of the Aryan Invasion Theory..highly debatable...I would love to see his film on that theme. Finally, Kashmiri Hindus??? No films on them Mr.K?
As Sashi truly points out, we are more tolerant towards the sects outside the Hindu religion than towards the sects within. The main political parties who say Godhra was communal dont boldly agree anti-Sikh riots was. No political party would ever accept the fact that in any election the candidates are chosen on a caste basis where hindus are a majority and where other sects are the majority. It pays to be castist rather than communal because the Hindu society itself is broken up into smaller self -centered caste based groups whereas the non-hindu groups are single largest voting bases. So, politically you can be castist and not communal because we are bothered about the religious minorities rather than the caste based minorities within. Whilst we "condemn" attacks on muslims, we care nothing about the attacks by muslims on the Kashmiri Pandits. Whilst attempts by the Sangh parivar to reconvert Hindu Dalits converted to Christianity back to HInduism is communal, the missionaries who converted them in the first place are NOT. Even the "non-believers" like Mr. Karunanidhi are against worshipping Gods, they dont have a problem with Alla.
Its always been a trend to make movies on riots related to minorities ,but no body cares to make movies on the pathetic condition of kashmiri pandits who have been chased out of their homes.
It's really shame on indian media which always talks about Godhra but never mentions akshardham and other riots on hindus or massacres of kashmiri pandits.
Hope Indian films in future shed light on the terrorism in kashmir and massacre of kashmiri pandits.
Re: why don't you people make films on kashmiri pandits
by V S on Nov 03, 2009 11:26 PM
because riots in 84 and 2002 had state sanction. kashmiri hindus were not subjugated by the state.
I believe...in general India is really really tolerant towards and treats & accomodates the minority with a lot of respect and equal opportunities. Look at the world around you and you'll realise that very few countries have done so. Proof: SHahrukh Khan..Abdul Kalam, Md. Azhar..Manmohan Singh...list goes on.
Re: India is really tolerant
by V S on Nov 03, 2009 11:26 PM
maybe but weak police force and communal thinking is also rampant in india along with mob mentality.