BJP digs own grave, finally
The manner in which Gujarat BJP intimidates free speech is certainly condemnable. It in fact reflects what Rang De Basanti made a case out of.
First of all, why does it matter what Aamir Khan says about Narmada bachao andolan? It is certainly not going to change anything as far as NBA is concerned. Second of all, how does stopping his movie stops what he says? In fact, it gets exemplified and makes the BJP and other politicians (Gujarat Congress has also reportedly joined the intimidation) look foolish, illeberal, immature and out of touch.
Every citizen has the right to say what they feel is true and fair. One can respectfully disagree and even protest and boycott peacefully. Not adhering to these norms leads straight to the holy grail!
First of all, why does it matter what Aamir Khan says about Narmada bachao andolan? It is certainly not going to change anything as far as NBA is concerned. Second of all, how does stopping his movie stops what he says? In fact, it gets exemplified and makes the BJP and other politicians (Gujarat Congress has also reportedly joined the intimidation) look foolish, illeberal, immature and out of touch.
Every citizen has the right to say what they feel is true and fair. One can respectfully disagree and even protest and boycott peacefully. Not adhering to these norms leads straight to the holy grail!
posted by hammer_sickle at
5/26/2006 09:26:00 PM
5 Comments:
First of all, freedom of expression works both ways and hindus have as much right to express their outrage as all the other groups in the country. This was not an official ban but a private one although courts have upheld that any government (central or state) can ban movies deemed to be anti-national or disturbing communal harmony.
Secondly, the reason for the outrage was not some statement about Narmada Bachao Andolan but the content of the film which justifies terrorist violence in Kashmir. Here is an intersting thread you can follow
http://www.india-forum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=378&st=60
Where were the "secular" champions of freedom of speech when the central and state governments banned Satanic Verses, Understanding Islam Trough the Hadis, Da Vinci Code movie, etc.? No one engages in breast beating when muslims, communists, and chritians become violent to stifle free speech yet all the hypocrites use it as a way to take pot shots at hindus, BJP, and the Gujarat government.
It is easy to urge hindus to be idealistic and play by the rules which the "secularists", marxists, mullahs, and all sorts of hindu baiters completely reject.
Finally, you can enlighten yourself by reading the following book:
Freedom of Expression
http://www.voi.org/books/foe/index.htm
By
Anonymous, at June 12, 2006 1:58 AM
Anon, thanks for taking time to read and repond!
Not screeing the movie by Guj. theaters can safely be placed as "boycott". And btw, the boycott was for "Aamir's" movie and not because what it contained (which in fact is unthoughtful, silly and shameless).
But what point does it prove, anyway? Why doesnt the BJP make its own movie and educated about its agenda? Aamir sure is playing among communits and anti-nationals, but going after him rather than what he says is not the best of strategies, I think.
By
hammer_sickle, at June 13, 2006 6:53 PM
I would like to address two seperate points:
1) This person used his celebrity status as a platform for pure propoganda in an issue critical to the lives of millions. Boycott against such persons, their employers, and movie financiers (islamic mafia?)is a legitimate form of expressing disgust.
2) Now the suggestion that a political party should go and make a movie is not to be taken seriously.
But, there has been plenty of coverage on the issue which proves his rants are wrong.
Here are some excerpts:
1.Oustees raise voice against their 'Messiah'
PIoneer.com
Navin Upadhyay | New Delhi
26 file affidavits saying NBA prevented them from accepting rehab ---- Bad news for Medha Patkar. As damaging facts begin to emerge in the media about the arm-twisting activities adopted by the Narmada Bacaho Andolan (NBA) activists to prevent the oustees of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) from accepting the rehabilitation package offered by the Madhya Pradesh Government, even her own supporters have begun to turn against Medha Patkar.
2.NBA blocks Maheshwar project
By Yoga Rangatia, in Indraprasth (aka New Delhi)
The Pioneer
http://www.dailypioneer.com
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Yielding to pressure by the Narmada Bachao Andolan, the Union Environment Ministry has abruptly suspended works on the 400 MW Maheshwar hydel power project on the river Narmada, citing non-submission of rehabilitation plan. In doing so, it has turned a blind eye to the fact that rehabilitation is already progressing alongside construction.
While the Environment Ministry in its suspension order last week said no relief and rehabilitation plan has been submitted, the project developers said the plan was submitted to the ministry four years ago, only the data needed to be upgraded.
3.Call Medha's bluff
The Pioneer Edit Desk
Her andolan promotes violence ---- Whoever says 'protest' cannot be turned into a viable career option needs only to look at Narmada Bachao Andolan's Medha Patkar for advice and guidance. For nearly two decades now, Ms Patkar has been a study in someone making an industry out of people's misery - the very folk whose cause she claims to represent. By going on her 'fasts-unto-death' on an average of twice a year - and rather mysteriously emerging stouter and healthier each time - Ms Patkar has proved that nothing succeeds like excess. She is the bland ambassador of the jholawala brigade whose only aim - given their youth and relative inexperience - is to make revolution; it does not matter whether it works on the ground or not. For the gullible 18,000 families whose self-claimed matriarch Ms Patkar is - or is perceived to be - this is bad news. For her misplaced activism is even today coming in the way of the relief and rehabilitation of the people affected by the Sardar Sarovar Project.
By
Anonymous, at June 27, 2006 10:09 PM
Anon,
I completely agree with you about the NBA issue and pointed out similar article debunking the misinformation propogated by Medha Patkar in one of my earlier posts.
But as far as I know, Aamir did not say "no" to the dam. He was for the rehab of the displaced.
By
hammer_sickle, at July 01, 2006 9:20 AM
Ofcourse he wouldn't say anything against the dam itself. The anti-nationals don't come out and say don't build a dam, they try to insert themselves into an issue by appearing to be champions of human rights. Even here he is ignorant because rehabilitation issue had nothing to do with the Gujarat government, and the stories I highlighted in my previous post make it clear that the attempts by Madhya Pardesh government to rehabilitate the villagers were blocked by Medha and her ilk.
Once again, the best way to punish these rent a cause celebrities is to vote with your wallet.
By
Anonymous, at July 04, 2006 5:45 PM
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