by B. R. GOWANI
Ruttie Jinnah once wrote, “Sorrow knows no satiety” and the Indian poet/writer Javed Akhtar’s patriotism has no boundary.
Javed Akhtar
Recently, the 7th Faiz Festival (February 17-19, 2023) took place in Lahore, Pakistan to honor one of South Asia’s most famous poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz. Some Indian poets, writers, and other artists were also invited, including Akhtar.
He often criticizes Pakistan’s stance over terrorism.
At the Festival, while speaking on the importance of native languages, he emphasized that there is nothing bad about people learning English but it should not be at the “cost of their mother tongue.” He continued, “purity of language is a myth,” and that languages open to new/foreign words enrich the language. This was fine, one cannot disagree.
Later, a man in the audience asked a question: “You have visited Pakistan many times. When you go back, do you tell your people that (we) are good people?”
The so called “war on terror,” the anti-Muslim trinity (India, Israel, and the US), and its news media have succeeded in creating a dangerous image of Muslims, especially the Pakistani Muslims, as “terrorists.” <1> This has affected the psyche of most Pakistanis negatively; they’re trying hard to change this impression. Hence, the above question was raised in that context.
Actress Sajal Ali is one of those people who is trying to change the erroneous reputation. She accepted a role in Jemima Khan’s film What’s Love Got To Do With It? Her reasoning:
“I think the first reason I agreed to join this film was that it beautifully highlights Pakistani culture.” “The country depicted in this project is quite colourful, bright and full of joy, which is a huge contrast from the norm in filmmaking which portrays Pakistanis as terrorists, so thank you Jemima for writing such a brilliant script.”
A British writer/producer Jemima Khan, former wife of Pakistani cricketer/politician, made the movie. (Here’s the mainly positive BBC film review. The film was directed by Shekhar Kapoor and has Indian, Pakistani, and British artists, including Emma Thompson and Shabama Azmi. Sajal Ali also worked in the Indian film Mom and desires good relations with India.)
Coming back to the audience member’s question, Akhtar‘s reply was to remind Pakistanis of the 2008 terrorist attack on Mumbai.
“We are people from Mumbai, we have seen the attack on our city. They (attackers) did not come from Norway or Egypt. They are still roaming freely in your country. So if there is a grievance in the heart of a Hindustani [i.e., Indian], you should not feel offended.”
Some Pakistani artists reacted angrily:
Saboor Ali
Pakistani actress Saboor Ali (Sajal Ali’s sister) didn’t like Akhtar’s remaraks.
“Someone insulted us in our own country, on our soil, while people sitting at his feet praised him with loud cheers. What a shame. Educated illiterate people, so called niche. They never accorded this much respect to our own talent; many of whom didn’t even have money for their treatment during their end times. Where were these appreciaters of talent, then?”
“How is someone going to respect when people don’t respect themselves?
“We accept that there are no borders or boundaries for art, but, at least, we could draw boundaries and lines to preserve our own self-respect, can’t we?”
Saboor Ali is accurately describing many Pakistani artists dying in poverty and sickness. She is young, bold, and intelligent; she could ask her film/TV colleagues, including the ones who were at Ali Zafar’s post-festival dinner, to start some kind of welfare program for artists who are in need of help.
Intead of getting insulted, Ms Saboor Ali should ponder the myriad of insults being endured by Pakistan/Pakistanis every day:
- Isn’t it insulting that a country of over 220 million people has a little over $3 billion in reserves and has to beg IMF for a few billion dollars?
- Isn’t it insulting that a man in police custody on charges of blasphemy was violently pulled out, disrobbed, and beaten to death with metal rods and sticks? (This is not first murder of such nature.)
- Isn’t it insulting that millions of flood victims have not yet gotten any help and poor Pakistan is importing 22,000 luxury cars?
…
One could go on and on …. suffice it to say that lite nationalism is fine to create internal unity and harmony but when it turns into extra nationalism it can blur a person’s reasoning power. If manipulated by a politician or priest or any group, it could turn into a dangerous weapon. Saboor Ali should chill out because there are more insulting issues to be taken care of, than Mr. Akhtar’s criticism.
Shaan
Pakistani actor/filmmaker Shaan Shahid, a famous hyper-patriot, wears his nationalism on his sleeve. Shaan tweeted:
“He [Javed Akhtar] knows about the murderers of Muslims in Gujrat [i.e., Modi and his Gujarat government] but he’s silent about that. And this gentleman is now looking for the perpetrators of the 26/11 [2008, Mumbai] attacks in Pakistan. Who gave him the visa?”
“I have a question for those who invited him and those who were sitting at his feet, nothing is more important than the honor of our country. Pls protect our cultural borders.”
(Many others have criticized Akhtar too. Check out here.)
Shaan is right about Gujarat massacre but has he ever thought that Pakistan houses many terrorists and which are wreaking havoc and lawlessness in Pakistan? Shaan advocates protecting cultural borders, but from whom? India? There is not much difference between Indian and Pakistani culture. Yes, there are some variations between different states/provinces, but on the whole there are a lot more similarities. Most people on both sides want better relations.
Shaan questions: “Who gave him the visa?” If Shaan didn’t like something Akhtar said, he should criticize or argue with him but shouldn’t talk about not issuing visa. Everyone should have the right to get visa –unless the applicant/s is/are violent. Shaan should remember that our ancestors were on all four and there was no border, nation, or country. It’s a Western invention.
Sahir Ludhianvi’s simple logic shatters the facade of hyper- nationalism/patriotism.
nature had blessed us with just one land
but here India and there Iran, we created
Shaan says he wouldn’t work in India but would get Indians to work in Pakistani films. Alternatively, singer/actor Ali Zafar believes in collaboration with other countries, including India. Shaan claims Pakistanis have “green blood” not red blood (watch here). Pakistan flag’s color is green.
Extra nationalism is a mental disease.
Was Akhtar right?
Was Javed Akhtar right in criticizing Pakistan? Yes and no.
The Faiz Festival was a happy celebration of the great poet Faiz who is also popular in India. Faiz used to visit India and the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru would invite him socially. Faiz wanted good relations between both countries; so the venue chosen by Akhtar to criticize Pakistan was not the right one, because people gathered there were desirous of friendly interactions with Indians, and they were aware that Pakistan has a terrorist problem. Also Akhtar’s tone and stinging words were totally wrong. Akhtar could have answered:
On your side, the Pakistani establishment is not putting terrorists behind bars; on our side, the governtment took away Kashmir’s autonomous status. It is a sad affair. I know most people on both sides want good relations and we should keep on trying. I always tell my compatriots that people across the border are same like us, some are good, some are bad, and some are worse.
However, he didn’t say that.
Akhtar also complained that Indians have “grievances,” but then if you ask Pakistanis they’ll say the same. If one were to go into the grievance history between both nations, volumes and volumes could be written — and the relations will never improve. The relations have to be improved because people are the same and desire to visit each other; especially, since geography has chained them together, and many families are separated by the border.
If Akhtar was speaking at some academic or political seminar or such event it would have been alright to speak whatever he wanted to. Or at a gathering where Shaan and other hyper patriots were present it would have been fine, because the back and forth between both parties would have let them list their grievances and vent out their anger and/or hatred– sometimes that kind of heated exchange also results in greater understanding.
Most people, including Akhtar know that most misadventures of terroristic nature have been the handiwork of Pakistan Army.
Also: Pakistan does not have a single government at the current time, four parallel governments are running, or stalling, the country.
- Pakistan Army has been running, directly or indirectly, the government since the 1950s, and is even now.
- The current government running Pakistan is a corrupt coalition made up of Shehbaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari, Maulana Fazal ur Rehman, and others.
- Former Prime Minister Imran Khan is the opposition leader but his cult-like personality has the power to bring Pakistan to a standstill.
- The TTP or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan bombs mosques, markets, police stations when they want to.
(We have to also keep in mind the West-enamored luxury loving elite.)
Akhtar’s comments at the wrong place and wrong time have created more bitterness and put those people on both sides who want good relations, on the defensive.
Just two examples:
Pakistani singer/actor Ali Zafar who is for India/Pakistan friendship, and has acted in Indian films when relations were better, came under attack for hosting a dinner for Akhtar. The rising tide of criticism against Akhtar forced Zafar to proclaim how “proud” he is as a Pakistani and distanced himself from Akhtar’s remarks.
“I am a proud Pakistani and naturally no Pakistani would appreciate any statement against its country or people specially at an event meant to bring hearts closer than further.”
“We all know how much Pakistan has suffered and continues to suffer at the hands of terrorism and such insensitive and uncalled for remarks can deeply hurt the sentiments of so many people.”
(There were eight terrorist attacks in Pakistan just in January 2023. For 2022 and years prior to that, check the listing here.)
At the Red Sea International Film Festival in Saudi Arabia in December 2022, Indian actor Ranbir Kapoor was asked if he would work in a joint Indo-Pak produced film in Saudi Arabia; his response was:
“Of course sir. I think there are no boundaries for artistes, especially for arts. Many congratulations to the Pakistan film industry for Maula Jatt. It is one of the biggest hits that we have seen in the last few years. Of course, I would love to.”
(UAE is a good place for joint ventures too.)
In the wake of Akhtar’s comments, Ranbir had to backtrack:
“I have worked with Fawad (Khan) in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. I have known a lot of artists from Pakistan. Rahat (Fateh Ali Khan) and Atif Aslam are such great singers who used to contribute to Hindi cinema. So, cinema is cinema. I don’t think cinema sees boundaries. But, of course, you have to respect art but at the same time, art is not bigger than your country. So, anybody who is not on good terms with your country, your first priority will always be your country.”
One could clearly see at the movie promotion that Ranbir had to look for words to show his patriotism (video 18:27-19:34).
Now the artists in both countries who want friendly relations will be more careful in order to avoid any kind of backlash. Pakistani actress Mahira Khan, talking to Variety, summed up the situation accurately:
“Because we’re artists, and we’re connected by that thread of art, we actually get each other. So we’re trying to look out for each other, more than anything. Even now, we are so careful with what we write on social media. It’s not that we don’t talk to each other. It’s not that we don’t wish each other on our birthdays. It’s not that we don’t meet each other in different countries. It’s not that – it’s just that we are actually not just protecting ourselves but protecting each other.”
Upon returning to India from the Faiz Festival, Akhtar said:
“I have been saying things that are slightly controversial and sensitive in nature in the country where I was born, I live and where I will die [India], then what was to fear there? When I don’t feel scared here, then why would I fear anything there?”
Now you can’t beat that reasoning: I’m Indian, and in India I criticize India, so when I am visiting Pakistan, I criticize Pakistan. The question then is if Akhtar is going to accord that luxury to a Pakistani by inviting her/him to India and let him/her criticize the world’s “most appalling” government’s “barbaric” treatment of Muslims, Indian Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen’s words, and afford him/her safe (from the Hindutva goons) passage back to Pakistan?
There is a terror in the air for minorities in India, particularly Muslims. Just one example: the world’s most famous actor Shah Rukh Khan talked about the growing intolerance in India in an interview to NDTV’s Barkha Dutt in November 2015 (watch here). He said the “religious intolerance” will take India back to the “dark ages.” He also expressed, as he had in the past, that Pakistani artists and cricketers should be allowed to work in India, His 2017 film Raees had Pakistan’s Mahira Khan in the female lead. His 2004 Main Hoon Na film was for reconciliation with Pakistan. His recent film Pathan‘s heroine plays a Pakistani character — and not a villaneous one. But the above interview got both Shah Rukh Khan and Barkha Dutt into trouble; she was questioned by right wingers as to why she had to interview SRK. In an open letter to SRK, Dutt apologized:
“You, Shah Rukh — the real life man — not Raj or Rahul, your screen avatars — are my hero. But shamefully, I must admit — We don’t deserve you.”
In that interview, Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) had told his critics:
“To all those, telling me to go to Pakistan, this is my country, I am not going anywhere. So shut up, just shut up.”
But then gradually SRK has had to shut up. In October 2021, SRK’s son Aryan Khan was arrested on false drug charges. He was kept in jail for three weeks. In May 2022, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) cleared him saying “no drugs had been found on Aryan Khan.” Most people knew from the very beginning that SRK’s son is being framed on false charge. This was government’s way of breaking SRK, the most famous Muslim, and in the process, the rest of the Muslims. It was a warning: If we could do this to Shah Rukh Khan’s son, then we could do it to anyone.
The Hindutva brigade, unlike Nazis, work within the system and slowly take over control of state institutions.
Professor Aijaz Ahmad explains it thus:
“I no longer believe, for instance, that there is really any contradiction between liberal institutions and the rule of the far right [in India]. The far right can take over those institutions from within and rule through them, unlike the Nazis who abolished that institutional structure as soon as they took power.”
Aijaz Ahmad in Conversation with Vijay Prashad, Nothing Human is Alien to Me (New Delhi: Left Word, 2020) p. 131.
Coming back to Akhtar, he knows what to say, when to say, and what not to say, and he knows when to display his patriotism. In March 2014, sixty seven Kashmiri students in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) were suspended for applauding the Pakistani cricket team. Later, the suspension order was rescinded which Akhtar didn’t like, he wanted them to be “rusticated and sent back to Kashmir.” Someone reminded Akhtar that on the one hand he claims Kashmir as India’s integral part and on the other hand he wants these Kashmiri students to be sent back. “Shame.”
Akhtar’s patriotism reached its untimate peak:
“Shame on you that you are standing by those who were celebrating Indian team’s defeat. They are traitors.”
Note
<1> The US establishment’s hatred of China and its efforts to halt China’s technological progress has driven Biden government mad and into the arms of India’s Narendra Modi, who the US will use to create problems for China. Biden, a pitiable character lacking self-respect, looks for an opportunity to get near Modi whenever he gets a chance (watch here and here). Modi knows that this is the time to take as much advantage as possible. The US is thousands of miles away, the countries who would suffer the consequences of any wrong move on part of either China or India will be India, China, and the neighboring nations.
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com