BJP's Vitriol Against SRK Only Reiterates His Viewpoint On Intolerance

Fringe leaders from Bharatiya Janata Party continue to hit new lows with each passing day and remark. After Kailash Vijayvargiya called Shah Rukh Khan anti-nationalist yesterday, senior MP Yogi Adityanath has compared him to Hafiz Saeed, the man who orchestrated the gruesome 26/11 attacks on Mumbai. Stating that there was no difference between the language that Khan and Saeed spoke, Adityanath further said that if Hindus were to boycott SRK's films, the actor would be on the streets, "just like other Muslims."

Adityanath's comments come after the Bollywood actor said in a townhall session that there was "extreme intolerance" in India, and endorsed filmmakers and literary figures' decision to return awards.

If anything, the collective wrath against Khan goes on to strongly reiterate the actor's main point - of extreme intolerance prevalent in the country today. The environment of Hindutva righteousness where any comment/person criticising that ideology is quickly labelled as traitorous, is certainly not a healthy ground for dissenters.

By reacting in the manner that sections of the party have, proves its inherent prejudices. The fact that Shah Rukh is lynched for articulating his opinion by the same establishment makes his voice only stronger, while pointing out BJP's fractured worldview. What are they going to do when he comes out with Raees, a film that is ostensibly political? Who knows- the film which dwells on the prohibition of alcohol in Gujarat wherein he essays a Muslim character may ruffle more than a few feathers.

So in this midst of cacophony that is hell-bent on silencing whoever speaks out against political and social evils, Shah Rukh's dissenting voice is perhaps the most critical for it reaches, influences and sways public opinion in the right direction.

Like he himself summed up, "It is stupid... It is stupid to be intolerant and this is our biggest issue, not just an issue... Religious intolerance and not being secular in this country is the worst kind of crime that you can do as a patriot."

Some beef, umm, food for thought for BJP leaders. 

Thumbnail Image Source: madhyamam and livemint