Author: Aamna Haider
Isani
Publication: The News
International, Pakistan
Date: November 3, 2000
It would be incorrect
to say that our masses breed a hatred for India. Their way of life
does not reflect animosity even though their words might. In 1940,
Japan suffered tremendously due to America's atomic attacks. This
should have been a good enough reason to keep hatred alive for infinite
generations to come. But if you ask them, the Japanese will surprise
you with their attitude. Instead of begrudging the USA, they are
thankful.
The general feeling is
that America unintentionally motivated their nation towards progress.
They moved ahead in retaliation. Consequently there is blatant Americanisation
amongst the youth today, and there is no hypocrisy. Our youth, on
the other hand, continue to shout anti- America slogans and burn effigies
of prominent Hindu leaders. On one hand, they abuse them limitlessly,
and yet on the other hand they ape them endlessly. It is an incorrigible
world of hypocrisy.
Every segment of our
life is saturated with either Indian or western principles and Lahore is
one of the most seriously affected areas. Localities that suffer
a scarcity of electricity and hygienic water do not miss video rental shops.
People who seem to be without the basic necessities of life like water,
power and sanitation flaunt dish antennas on their terraces. Even
the slums turn to the satellite or Indian cinema for entertainment.
Those who don't have
these windows of entertainment turn to music. Indian songs echo throughout
the dingiest streets of town. Even on patriotic days like August
14, cars jammed from bumper to bumper on the Mall, blare out Hindi-pop.
Shamelessly, I would say! The printed media is no better. They run
after the scent of an Indian celebrity and exploit it to the fullest.
If a popular personality happens to drop by, journalists hound him or her.
The awe our society has for them is evident and crystal clear. Books
and articles written by Hindu authors are read like the Holy Book.
They are not perceived as insights into the enemy's mind but as better
bits of reading.
It's not just the media
who is besotted. All governments that have remained in power, civilian
or military, have expressed a fondness for Indian stars. General
Zia's love for actor Shatrugan Sinha was famous in all quarters.
He would delay inaugurations of important events in anticipation of Mr
Sinha's arrival. Nawaz Sharif, in his tenure, bestowed such respect
upon Dilip Kumar. He was invited to Pakistan and awarded a national
prize. Not bad for the enemy!
In this love/hate relationship,
all enmity bubbles to the brim when the two countries assemble to play
cricket. Slogans are shouted, sportsmen are pelted with debris and
stadiums are set alight. Yet these sentiments do not seem to represent
those of our players. They love getting chummy with Indians.
Imran Khan has always been a popular figure in Indian social circles.
He frequently invites Indian performers like Sukhbir and Daler Mehndi to
help raise funds for his hospital. Others like Mohsin Khan retire
from cricket and feel more honourable serving the Indian film industry.
In fact it's not just
our cricketers who like to visit India. Our stars and starlets drool
at the prospect. The pity is that they go, get trapped in the bright
lights, and end up giving unpatriotic comments. You'll find our singers
on their charts and our actresses on their stage shows. Artistes
like Komal Rizvi, Adnan Sami, Ali Haider, Junoon, Shazia Manzoor and Najam
don't feel successful until they've had their songs recorded in India.
For them all, the grass is definitely greener on the other side of the
border.
And maybe it is.
It's understandable that art has no geographical boundaries, and the only
thing an artiste needs for survival is recognition and appreciation.
India, for us, has become the gateway to international stardom. It's
wrong to criticise Pakistani artistes for their alliance with India, for
the stagnation in our own system inhibits all progress and forms of life.
Talent cannot thrive, let alone progress here. But these star seekers
should maintain their dignity and patriotism and avoid putting down the
nation. That is all that is required. It would be all right
to see India as a stepping stone, but not as a measure to demean Pakistan.
Two nations that once
existed as one will have intermingling cultures. It's only natural.
But it should be controlled. The more we take up their culture, the
more we lose our own identity. The Hindu festival of Holi takes up
its own colours in Pakistan. Basant, again a Sikh tradition, is upheld
with utmost festivity. We plagiarise their movies down to titles
and songs. Indian products, especially clothes, are considered a
notch above our own. Our marriage ceremonies reflect complete Hindu
traditions. The way we express sorrow, again, is less Islamic and
more Hindu. This 'Indianisation' of our Islamic culture has crossed
all bounds. This cultural aping has seeped in into every crevice
of our life.
It's time we realised
our status as a nation, and let go of "Mother India's" apron strings.
Entertainment will see no borders, but cultures will, and should be curtailed
within boundaries. While the Islamic world celebrates the holy month
of Rajab, the pro-India pseudos of our society are painting rangolis on
their doorsteps and lighting diyas in recognition of the Hindu festival
of diwali.
