Hindu Dilemma

So Nandita Das makes a film called Firaaq. The critics argue that it is not a depiction of atrocities committed against Indian Muslims – it is rather about atrocities committed against humanity. As I read Nikhat Kazmi in Times of India and the terse commentary of the film that narrates how the Muslims might have fared through after Gujarat riots, I cant help wondering how might the Hindus have felt mentally, when an entire bogie was burnt down? I mean that was the start of the issue, right? What higher reason of societal reconciliation might have prompted it? Why doesn’t anyone make a film on that? There is always a cause to an effect. Normally that is what thinkers all over the world ponder on. But no sir, not in India. We are different.

We are always on a year long trip to pacify the so-called minority sentiment. For a change of taste, we might want to think about how might the Hindus have felt when they were slaughtered in thousands across Kashmir valley? When they were forced to flee their land that was inherently theirs to begin with, even before the 5th to 7th century conversions started? Any takers for a small film on the same? Sadly, none.

Hey, I am not a BJP fan by the way. In fact I am nobody’s fan. I have seen the bitterest of political rivals share the same drink in posh Banquets, evening after evening. So this is not some BJP propaganda before the impending elections. This is a simple Indian question. Why are Hindus demonized always? By anyone, from a street-peddler to an intellectual. And all of them get away. Because Hindus don’t strike back? They don’t take out Fatwas, or demand the head of the offender? Nice fun eh? If they do, they will be branded as a terrorist community. If they don’t, sudden-intellectuals like Ms. Das would keep popping up from nowhere and take pride in narrating half cooked and partially blind views.

Damned if you do and damned if you don’t.