January 22, 2025

People are asking what is wrong in what Naseeruddin Shah has said and why is he being painted as a villain by people who claim to be nationalists. People think that whatever he said is actually happening in the country. People say that it takes guts to show the mirror to the people in power. People are also saying that nationalism does not mean accepting whatever –right or wrong – that is happening in a nation without demur. They say that not showing dissent against wrongs is chamchagiri. People point out that those who do not protest wrongs are most likely to be at the receiving end of one any time in the future.

Shah is a Muslim married to a Hindu. People say he is rightly concerned about the atmosphere of fear in the country and the problems his children are likely to face. People also agree that it is outrageous, as Shah has said, that the killing of a cow moves the administrative machinery more than the killing of a policeman. People say that Shah has every right to voice his concerns.

People are also critical of those who say that the country has given much to Shah and if he doesn’t like it he should settle elsewhere. People say running away is not the solution and in any case, why should Shah or others like him who are critical of the government leave India. People say India is as much their country as of any dyed-in-the-wool gau bhakt. People are of the opinion that those who protested to prevent Shah from attending the Ajmer Literature Fest did a lot of damage to democracy. People say that silencing critics is not the way to run the country. People aver that if the government is truly concerned about the citizens and if PM Modi actually meant when he said that he wanted “sabka saath sabka vikas” then it should stop misguided elements from spreading disharmony in the country and ensure that all Indians, irrespective of religion, caste and creed happily live and work together.