Finally ‘Deshdrohi’ has been banned. For another two months. Thanks heavens!! It is applicable only in Maharashtra. Those who are curious to watch it can migrate to other states. This ‘migration’ is the ‘crux’ of the film. And the crux of the current violence over ‘north Indian’ issue. No wonder it may become the poll plank in the upcoming general elections.
The ban comes after the Home department had a special hearing held on Thursday. The makers of the film, it seems, will again rush to the Bombay High Court.
So what is objectionable there in the film? Anyone who has watched the promos can make a good sense. In a scene the ‘protagonist’ is seen being pushed in a BEST bus by the conductor. Another scene has both protagonist and few local politicians; argue over his origins. Played by Kamal Khan, the young graduate has moved to Mumbai to make a living. Somehow he entangles himself in the brawl of regionalism.
Current ‘provocative’ atmosphere especially in Mumbai forced the authorities to stall its release. Maharashtra police under Bombay Cinema Regulation Act 1963 had recommended a ban on ‘Deshdrohi’.
And the Congress-NCP ruling combine grabbed the chance. It gave a green signal for the ban.
Reasons cited sound justified. ‘Deshdrohi’ can incite communal tensions. It may have added oil to the flame. Quite right! But who is responsible for the highly volatile situation? And who is ‘Deshdrohi’.
Past few years are witness to a new emerging trend. Throw away the ‘poor’ migrant workers who are ‘Bhayyas’ says the campaign. They don’t speak Marathi. It doesn’t sound a good reason to extern them. It’s an act of insanity perpetrated by the insane. It’s not astounding: A sane attacked weirdly by an insane.
Indian Constitution guarantees the Fundamental Right to Life under Article 21. Right to Livelihood is enshrined in it. Offensive against the north Indians is akin to stripping them of these Rights. It is tantamount to ‘contempt’ of Constitution.
Judiciaries act as the traditional ‘ombudsmen’ to upheld the Constitutional provisions. These are Constitutional institutions. One’s contempt may lead to the contempt of the other.
Thousands of north-Indians have preferred their lives to their livelihood. They have fled to their homes. Anti migrant violence has received more publicity than ire. People fed up with ‘Saas Bahu Serials’ were found glued to the TV. They had found a new entertainment. The cutting of a birthday cake with ‘Bhayya’ written on it added ‘spice’ to the newly arrived opera.
Raj Thackeray and his lumpen were at the forefront of the anti north Indian agitation. It saw large scale destruction of public and private properties. Months of uncertainty led to ideological marginalization. His subsequent arrest did not yield much.
So who is ‘Deshdrohi’? Should it be banned? The answer is simple. Yes. Recently Bombay High Court in its ruling had called Raj Thackeray as an “urban terrorist”. A terrorist is a parson who wages a war against the nation. He kills innocents and is the ‘Deshdrohi’. In history of Indian polity, a judiciary never pronounced such censures on a political leader.
The legacy of hatred has many manifestations. Anti-South Indian and anti-Gujarati movements were turned into an anti-Muslim one in late 80s. The ‘bow and arrow’ was pointed towards Muslims. Its fallouts were huge. The hatred reached its zenith during post-Babri riots and 1993 serial blasts. Gradually the derogatory remarks against Muslims became poll plank.
The idea of propelling these ‘Bhayyas’ is not new. Only a new breed of hate mongers is pushing it ahead. ‘Bhayya Haath Paaye Pasari’, is a Marathi play that is also at the receiving end. Those who find it derogatory and offensive have demanded a ban.
The fallout of the probe into the September 29 Malegaon blast has started a new debate. Can a Hindu ever be a terrorist? The right wing Hindu outfits have decried the notion vociferously. All saffron outfits have taken up the cudgels on behalf of the accused.
Unless proved guilty, an accused is innocent. After convicted he becomes a perpetrator, an accomplice in the crime. Accused in Malegaon blast have given a new dimension to the investigations in terror acts. It has shifted the focus.
The trial will determine their culpability. If proved guilty they will become terrorists. Like many who were held guilty under TADA in 1993 serial blasts case.
So whoever the ‘Deshdrohi’ are and whatever are their intensions, the governments need stringent acts and actions to deal with them.
For putting an end the turmoil, banning a film would not be sufficient. Government should banish the real ‘Deshdrohi.’
The ban comes after the Home department had a special hearing held on Thursday. The makers of the film, it seems, will again rush to the Bombay High Court.
So what is objectionable there in the film? Anyone who has watched the promos can make a good sense. In a scene the ‘protagonist’ is seen being pushed in a BEST bus by the conductor. Another scene has both protagonist and few local politicians; argue over his origins. Played by Kamal Khan, the young graduate has moved to Mumbai to make a living. Somehow he entangles himself in the brawl of regionalism.
Current ‘provocative’ atmosphere especially in Mumbai forced the authorities to stall its release. Maharashtra police under Bombay Cinema Regulation Act 1963 had recommended a ban on ‘Deshdrohi’.
And the Congress-NCP ruling combine grabbed the chance. It gave a green signal for the ban.
Reasons cited sound justified. ‘Deshdrohi’ can incite communal tensions. It may have added oil to the flame. Quite right! But who is responsible for the highly volatile situation? And who is ‘Deshdrohi’.
Past few years are witness to a new emerging trend. Throw away the ‘poor’ migrant workers who are ‘Bhayyas’ says the campaign. They don’t speak Marathi. It doesn’t sound a good reason to extern them. It’s an act of insanity perpetrated by the insane. It’s not astounding: A sane attacked weirdly by an insane.
Indian Constitution guarantees the Fundamental Right to Life under Article 21. Right to Livelihood is enshrined in it. Offensive against the north Indians is akin to stripping them of these Rights. It is tantamount to ‘contempt’ of Constitution.
Judiciaries act as the traditional ‘ombudsmen’ to upheld the Constitutional provisions. These are Constitutional institutions. One’s contempt may lead to the contempt of the other.
Thousands of north-Indians have preferred their lives to their livelihood. They have fled to their homes. Anti migrant violence has received more publicity than ire. People fed up with ‘Saas Bahu Serials’ were found glued to the TV. They had found a new entertainment. The cutting of a birthday cake with ‘Bhayya’ written on it added ‘spice’ to the newly arrived opera.
Raj Thackeray and his lumpen were at the forefront of the anti north Indian agitation. It saw large scale destruction of public and private properties. Months of uncertainty led to ideological marginalization. His subsequent arrest did not yield much.
So who is ‘Deshdrohi’? Should it be banned? The answer is simple. Yes. Recently Bombay High Court in its ruling had called Raj Thackeray as an “urban terrorist”. A terrorist is a parson who wages a war against the nation. He kills innocents and is the ‘Deshdrohi’. In history of Indian polity, a judiciary never pronounced such censures on a political leader.
The legacy of hatred has many manifestations. Anti-South Indian and anti-Gujarati movements were turned into an anti-Muslim one in late 80s. The ‘bow and arrow’ was pointed towards Muslims. Its fallouts were huge. The hatred reached its zenith during post-Babri riots and 1993 serial blasts. Gradually the derogatory remarks against Muslims became poll plank.
The idea of propelling these ‘Bhayyas’ is not new. Only a new breed of hate mongers is pushing it ahead. ‘Bhayya Haath Paaye Pasari’, is a Marathi play that is also at the receiving end. Those who find it derogatory and offensive have demanded a ban.
The fallout of the probe into the September 29 Malegaon blast has started a new debate. Can a Hindu ever be a terrorist? The right wing Hindu outfits have decried the notion vociferously. All saffron outfits have taken up the cudgels on behalf of the accused.
Unless proved guilty, an accused is innocent. After convicted he becomes a perpetrator, an accomplice in the crime. Accused in Malegaon blast have given a new dimension to the investigations in terror acts. It has shifted the focus.
The trial will determine their culpability. If proved guilty they will become terrorists. Like many who were held guilty under TADA in 1993 serial blasts case.
So whoever the ‘Deshdrohi’ are and whatever are their intensions, the governments need stringent acts and actions to deal with them.
For putting an end the turmoil, banning a film would not be sufficient. Government should banish the real ‘Deshdrohi.’
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