Phobia Identity and Identity Phobia

Phobia Identity and Identity Phobia

In yesterday’s (24-01-2013) panel discussion on many news channels (like CNN-IBN, Sun TV News, Thandi News, etc.), there was a discussion about the Muslims’ protest in Tamil Nadu against Kamal Hassan’s recent movie Vishwaroopam. The main objection raised by the Muslims is that such a film will create a wrong image in the minds of people, portraying Muslims as terrorists. However, Manushyaputran clearly pointed out that no movie can suddenly change the mindset of people against any particular group, and we have to agree with him.

However, the other panelists said that ignoring such films or views is the best antidote to any wrong impression that might be created in people’s minds. Protesting against such movies, especially at the eleventh hour (just the day before it was to be released), only blows up an insignificant issue and draws attention to it. Actor Delhi Ganesh rightly pointed out that when the Muslim leaders watched the full film on the 21st, they didn’t register their opposition immediately or even on the 22nd. Their response was that Kamal left for the USA on the 22nd, so they couldn’t do it. However, people like me find this a false excuse in this time of advanced technology, where all kinds of facilities are available to convey objections immediately after watching the film on the 21st. Of course, such communal issues cannot be easily ignored when they affect or hurt the sentiments of any particular group, yet we have to understand that after the post-9/11 (New York) and November 26 (Mumbai) incidents, a wrong image is created in the minds of common Indians, irrespective of community.

When a handful of people create problems by using all kinds of violence, and the silent majority cannot raise their voice, a wrong impression is created in the minds of common people. And till the end, all have to bear that burden, both innocent and guilty. For example, all sannyasis are branded as if they belong to the Sangh Parivar. When I went to exercise my franchise in 2011, a few people sitting at the bus stand, after seeing me, said, ‘one more vote to BJP.’ In fact, I didn’t vote for BJP that time. The same was my experience in the past too. In 1992, just before the Babri Masjid demolition at Ayodhya, I was walking on the street of Old Delhi. Then one man said to me, ‘Baba, what are you doing here instead of going to Ayodhya?’ because at that time, hundreds of sadhus were going towards Ayodhya. So, whether we like it or not, there is an impression that all the sannyasis in India are somehow affiliated with the Sangh Parivar. If I want to deny this, then I have to carry the Congress symbol on my sleeve or, better yet, a picture of Sonia on my dress—which I will abhor.

In the same way, a wrong impression is already created in the minds of people about Muslims. To remove it, no agitation—especially at the eleventh hour, protesting against a film (Vishwaroopam), or book (Salman Rushdie), or painting (by Hindu fundamentalists, Husain)—is going to serve any purpose. On the other hand, it will further highlight the same sore that has been collectively created by all. When we watch and hear about sectarian killings in Muslim countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, we feel sorry for the innocent people killed there. Yet I feel that the responsibility of Muslims living in secular countries like India increases even more to work hard to remove the negative impression that prevails in the minds of people all over the world. Forgetting this, if a handful of people try to blow up a small issue out of proportion, they are going to irritate neutral people and sympathizers like us who support Muslims’ rights and rightful causes in India rather than gain anything—except a few hours of media coverage, a few panel discussions, and some website articles like this. But by writing this, I know that people like us are blowing the conch to a deaf person. Nobody can help a person who wants to create problems for herself, especially at her own cost. This we call in Tamil: Sonda selavila suniyam vachikiradu—doing black magic against oneself at one’s own cost. But such illegitimate and politically motivated agitation by Muslims is one such example.

Db. January 25, 2013