archive: Honours like nishan-e-pakistan are trivialities before love
Honours like nishan-e-pakistan are trivialities before love
Vikram Gokhale
Maharashtra Times
July 20, 1999
Title: Honours like nishan-e-pakistan are trivialities before love
Author: Vikram Gokhale
Publication: Maharashtra Times
Date: July 20, 1999
I am deliberately and purposely avoiding use of normal mode of
addressing a letter in this communication. The reason is obvious. The
respect for your art has given way to deep indignation. What you have
been doing in respect of the honour of Nishan-E-Pakistan bestowed on
you by the enemy nation during the last 15 days, is not only
unfortunate but highly disturbing. Your behaviour in this regard is
like a small child persisting in his obstinacy wilfully. Your
explanation on TV in highflown Urdu following your visit to the
President must have been beyond the comprehension of the millions of
common Indians. There are, however, a few people like us who love your
Urdu language. They rightly understood what you had to say. In your
so-called explanation, the words "I and for my country" did not figure
even once. You frequently said, "I did this for this country" and "I
did that for this country". Now on behalf of the millions of people of
this country, I am tempted to ask you a simple question. Tell me, what
this country has not done for you during the last 50 years. Respected
Sir, this country of 1000 million people has given so much love to you
that compared to this great love, honours like 'Nishan-E-Pakistan' are
just trivialities.
Much junior people in age, like Kapil Dev, Ajaya Jadeja, Sachin
Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar appear so bigger than you that even
comparisons become superfluous. My Muslim soldiers every one of them
who is fighting for the country on the borders is superior to you.
Even the Muslim children reading in Urdu Schools and thanking soldiers
on the borders when occasion arises, displaying the heavy boards with
the slogan "We hate Pakistan" are much bigger than you.
Indeed, had you given up that honour even before a political outfit
like Shiv Sena advised you to do so, then you would have been a Super
Hero of this country of 1000 million people. Your action would have
been an eye-opener for the cessionist and divisive Muslims who in the
recent history of Indo-Pakistani cricket matches have very often
celebrated Pakistan's victory by bursting crackers. You would have
permanently sewn up the mouths which in private or in public accuse
you of being pro-Pakistani. You would have been a person to fortify
confidence of people of my ilk who always declared in no uncertain
terms that in the world of Indian Industry, the Film industry is the
only industry which upholds true secularism.
However, you never thought it necessary to think over these points.
Because, you deem the value of 'Nishan-e-Pakistan' higher than this.
Is it indeed a fact that you think the value of this honour given by
Pakistan is higher than the value of martyrdom of our soldiers in
Kargil? Does the glory and stature of the soldiers who were maimed,
mutilated, desecrated and killed by Pakistani militia is nil according
to you. Does the grief of the parents whose youthful and middle-aged
sons were killed in Kargil is the grief according to you is totally
insignificant ?
The nation whose honour you are so lustily embracing and holding to
your chest is an abjectly cruel nation which leaves the dead bodies of
its soldiers and officers behind for the vultures to devour on the
battlefield. I tell you for your information, Sir, that for the last
50 years you have been living in this country which consigns the
mortal remains of the dead bodies even of its enemies to the earth or
the fire with appropriate military honours.
Unfortunately, with one or two exceptions, no ideal leader is seen in
this country. Rest of all of them are parasites. Otherwise, there
would not be political parties who in the first instance showed
displeasure at your not returning the Nishan-e-Pakistan and then
making a complete about-turn within a matter of few hours.
The worth of these political parties who have an eye on the Muslim
votes in the ensuing elections is even inferior to your Pakistani
honour. Of course, the people will show these parties their place in
the forthcoming elections.
Sir, I want to tell you one thing. Please do not think that I do not
the know rule that when in water, do not offend the fish. I am fully
aware that your name carries a great weight in the Indian film
industry and it is looked upon with awe. However, please note one
thing, there are people who will care two hoots about this when the
question of patriotism comes up.
I pity the people who want to speak out, but dare not do so. From
their point of view, I am showing a lot of courage in writing this
letter to you. But I feel it my duty to call a wrong a wrong whether
it is done by my father or my Guru.
I agree that there should not be politics in the spheres of arts and
sports. But it will not suffice that I alone agree with it. Every
citizen in the country which has conferred that so called honour on
you should also subscribe to this view. What we have seen however,
during the last 50 years is exactly opposite.
Sir, I never believed that this country is Hindustan. Because, this
country indeed does not belong to Hindus alone. It belongs to the
Muslims, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists as well. Otherwise, a
question will arise why Hindus alone should not asked to bear the
burden of fighting on the frontiers. This country belongs to everybody
who loves it irrespective his or her sect or religion. Anybody who
works against the interests of this country irrespective of his or her
sect or religion is an enemy of this country.
You say that you will spend the rest of your life in promoting harmony
and understanding between India and Pakistan. What exactly are you
going to do? During the last 50 years, India and India alone has tried
to promote a spirit of harmony and understanding. Pakistan never did
it. And only a couple of our leaders made efforts to promote harmony
without compromising the national pride and self-respect. Others only
sought to brighten up their personal image at international image and
in the context of national image, they swam in the dirty waters. Which
image are you going to brighten up?
Before embarking on your efforts, kindly do meet our Jawans fighting
in Kargil. Please try to raise their morale. Call on the families of
martyrs to console them. Sincerely compliment the officers on the
frontiers and try to bring to the right path the shameless people who
eat the food of this country and day in and day-out speak and act in
favour of Pakistan and at least now give up politics and get engaged
in social work based on social problems. Our country is magnanimous
and tolerant. It will forget your blunder in respect of
'Nishan-e-Pakistan'. Please do not to show your love for the country
only by giving cheques of fat amounts. Instead of it, please throw
away the Pakistani honour and dedicate yourself to social work . And
then you will see how this country showers love, respect and honour on
you.
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