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THE AARAKSHAN CONTROVERSY - A point of view
I have read with interest the controversy on the
forthcoming movie AARAKSHAN. The issue, to me, seems
to be unnecessary and uncalled for. The movie
produced by Prakash Jha, renowned movie personality,
is yet to be released. The controversy that the
movie is against the dalits is based on hearsay. The
public does know the contents and the message, if
any, of the movie. I read some months before that
the lead actor in the movie Saif Ali Khan was
harassed and threatened by the concerned. I read t he
other day that some forum has been made in Jalandhar
to oppose the movie. Today, I read that P.L. Punia,
Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Scheduled
Caste Commission have desired to see the movie
before it is released. The producer Prakash Jha and
the Censor Board headed by Leela Samson have not
agreed to do so. On intervention by the Ministry of
Information, a special screening of the movie was
arranged by the Censor Board for a 9 member Panel (5
members of the panel belonged to dalit community)
constituted for the purpose. They did not find any
objectionable content and intension in the movie.
The movie is scheduled to be released on August 12.
I have not seen the movie. Most of the so called
activists who have apprehensions about the movie
have also not seen it either. What is the
controversy then? Is it inferiority complex? Is it
fear? Is it ignorance? Is it exploitation or
blackmail by the vested interests? We are living in
a democracy and shall not be afraid of debate and
discussion. Let people speak their mind in a
civilized way. The dalits shall prepare themselves
to meet them make their point, if there is any.
Democracy also provides them the power of vote.
Defeat the adversary, if required, at the Hastings.
 Dr.
Ambedkar. became the Chairman of the Drafting
Committee of the Constituent Assembly by his own
right. Jagjivan
Ram could not become the Prime Minister in spite of
the fact that he was the most competent and eligible
to hold the position. Mayawati is holding the
coveted position of the Chief Minister of Uttar
Pradesh for the fourth time on the basis of her own
strength and ability. Let us shed the fear and get
ready for the fight by democratic means in the
parliament, legislatures and the society at large. I
heard one of the songs of the movie AARAKSHAN which
goes something like this:
जरा
पंख
तो
खोलो
फिर
उड़ान
देखना;
जरा
मौका
तो
दो
फिर
आस्मां
देखना
!
By. Mr. Ramesh Chander, Retired Indian Diplomat
02-08-2011 |
