Never in the history of India-Pakistan relations has one seen a complete breakdown in communication. Even during the height of the Kargil conflict, the back channel talks were continuing. It is sad to see that the relations are now at their lowest level where civility has been replaced by pseudo nationalism. The sane voices on both sides of the border have been hijacked by rabble-rousers and pseudo nationalists. The news aired on TV is full of venom, and anchors are seen vying with one another in a contest of decibels. The leves of jingoism would even put the Fox News to shame.
In this context one would like to praise some media houses for their impartiality and balanced analyses of the prevailing situation. Pakistani newspapers like Dawn, The Nation and Daily Times recognise the danger of supporting various terror networks operating from Pakistan’s soil. There is also a growing realisation in the civil society about the futility of cultivating such groups, and the untold harm it has caused to the image of Pakistan, even leading to its growing isolation.
It was refreshing to note some of the newspapers condemning terrorism in all its forms. One newspaper had even urged the government to go after those who aided and abetted the horrific Mumbai attack. In fact, the deputy editor of Dawn had to pay a heavy price for reportedly quoting the civilian leadership expressing anguish over army’s support to some militant outfits.
In India, the situation has led to bellicosity against anything that is remotely connected to Pakistan. The chest-thumping, jingoism and other forms of abrasive politics are beginning to have a deleterious effect on the psyche of ordinary Indians. In a shameful development, Pakistani actors and musicians have been banned from performing in India. In fact, one of the local political parties has openly threatened theatre owners from screening any film that has a Pakistani actor or actresses essaying a role. The president of the Cinema Owners Exhibitors Association of India said in an interview that the decision to not show films with Pakistani actors has not been taken under any political pressure but by keeping public sentiment in mind. The real reason is not public sentiment, but the fear of goons vandalising the theatres. Unfortunately, this is an emblematic trend of reacting against anything that is even remotely connected to Pakistan.
However, little do they realise that the actual brunt of not screening the films would be felt by the Indian producers who have invested crores of rupees in the production of films. One such movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, which stars the famous Pakistani actor Fawad Khan in a pivotal guest role, after a great deal of controversy, was released yesterday. Two other films, Raees, co-produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s Hindu wife, Gauri Khan, in which Mahira Khan plays an important role, and Dear Zindagi featuring Ali Zafar, have also been targeted.
Many Indian stars like Salman Khan and others were unequivocal in their criticism against banning of Pakistani actors, singers and musicians, as they consider such moves as petty. One wonders how banning Pakistani stars would help improve the relations between the two countries. The idea of hatred towards the people of a particular country is small and reductionist. To paint the entire people of a country as terrorists is small and reductionist.
In all fairness, the role of Indian government is commendable. It has refused to support forces that want to impose a total ban on Pakistani artists. In fact, the government has assured full protection to theatre owners. The chief minister of Maharashtra called the satrap of the local party and persuaded him to allow screening of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The leader agreed to withdraw the threat issued by his party provided the producers of the films featuring Pakistani artists agreed to donate INR 50 million to the Army Welfare Fund. The Indian army has rightly rejected the offer, as this is simply another form of extortion.
I once had the fortune of attending a concert by Ghulam Ali, and was overwhelmed to see the response he got from the Indian audience. Similarly, the late Mehdi Hassan was another popular artist, who perhaps received more love in India than even from Pakistan. Similarly, singers like Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan are household names in India. One believes that Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan and Amitabh Bachchan are equally popular in Pakistan. Legendary singers like Mohammad Rafi and Kishore Kumar have a big fan following in Pakistan.
It is sincerely hoped that saner voices would prevail, and Pakistani artists would be allowed to be a part of Bollywood. By encouraging artists, there is a hope of improvement of relations. By fanning hatred, we would only be playing into the hands of those forces that for their vested interests do not want India-Pakistan relations to improve.
Both India and Pakistan are bound by a common culture, cuisine and language that underpin the ties. Politicians from both sides should tirelessly work to resume ties that are presently held to ransom by vested interests. Both the countries should realise that by keeping their relations in a state of flux would only strengthen the hands of those with vested interests. A former Indian prime minister once famously said that one can choose friends, but one can’t choose one’s neighbours.
As a first step, let us revive Aman ki Asha, and encourage people-to-people contact for restoring normalcy between the two countries. Let us all encourage academicians, intellectuals, and members of civil society to raise their voice against forces that want to see the relations in a state of flux. Pakistan’s military establishment should also support the civilian government in its efforts to build bridges with India, and restore peace and normalcy in the larger interest of people of both the countries.
There is no gainsaying that there exists tremendous goodwill among the ordinary people of both the countries. It is, therefore, on all of us from both India and Pakistan to give peace another chance, as the gains would far outweigh the losses from alienation.
The writer is a freelance columnist and political commentator