It is a time of chaos, to whom should I explain? There are foes of reason and lunatics here.
Singer Diljit Dosanjh is used to controversies. Many times our artists create controversies to increase their popularity, but the latest controversy about him seems futile. The matter is related to his film 'Sardarji3', because Pakistani heroine Hania Aamir is working with him in that film. Diljit was heavily criticized for this. It was demanded that he be removed from Border-2. Federation of Western India Sign Employees Association has gone further and demanded that Diljit Dosanjh's citizenship be cancelled. The complaint is that Diljit is working with the heroine of the enemy country, which is unacceptable after the Pahalgam incident. Questions are being raised on Diljit's patriotism itself. It was also demanded that Diljit Dosanjh's music be banned.
The shooting of the film Sardarji 3 was done in February, two months before the Pahalgam incident. Diljit has said that the producer-director selects the actors in the film. He was only told that he has to work with Hania Aamir. In the past too, many Pakistani actors like Fawad Khan and Mahira Khan have worked in our films. The producer has decided not to release the film in India in view of the agitated sentiments of the people. Earlier too, many times the release of films had to be stopped because someone's religious or patriotic sentiments were 'getting hurt'. Why are we so insecure that we get hurt by a film or a comedian's show?
On Diljit Dosanjh's argument that this film was made before Pahalgam, an agitated anchor (why can't our anchors maintain restraint and dignity like the anchors of BBC or CNN or Al Jazeera? What is the need to shout and fight on every issue?) was saying that a lot happened before Pahalgam as well. Mumbai, Uri, Pathankot, Pulwama, a lot happened then why was a Pakistani heroine taken? But in February we also played an ICC Champions Trophy match with Pakistan in Dubai. The whole country celebrated the six-wicket victory. So should BCCI also be banned? The patriotism of its officials should be questioned, after all they allowed the team to play with the 'enemy' team? Many TV channels have been paying money to invite Pakistanis on their shows so that TRP can increase. What to do about them? Diljit Dosanjh is a very famous artist. He has done good roles in films like 'Chamkeela'. His shows are sold out abroad.
There is a large number of Pakistanis in the audience. Punjabis from both sides are present. BJP leader and artist Hobby Dhaliwal has called Diljit Dosanjh an icon of 'Punjabi culture'. His argument is correct that not only Diljit, there are many other artists in the film. The storm created on Diljit Dosanjh also seems to be due to professional competition. Many other Punjabi artists, who have themselves gone to Pakistan or have worked with Pakistanis, are today criticizing Diljit Dosanjh. Punjabi singers have crossed the line of decorum many times. They have displayed everything from drugs to weapons. They have praised intoxication. There is not only one culprit. The truth is that there is not only contradiction but also duplicity in both our society and government regarding Pakistan. I have a friend. He can also be called a 'bhakt' in today's language. He wants a ban on Diljit Dosanjh for working with a Pakistani heroine. I asked him what he was doing these days and he replied, “Sitting with Madam and watching Pakistani serials”.
At that time he neither remembered Pulwama nor Pahalgam. It is a bitter truth that a large part of our population, especially in North India, is crazy about Pakistani serials. The common language and culture and channels like YouTube have made them popular in India. Serials like ‘Suno Chanda’, ‘Mere Hum Safar’, ‘Tere Bina’, ‘Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum’ are very popular in ‘bhakt’ families because of their story. During this time many terrorist incidents happened but their patriotism could not stop them from watching Pakistani serials. They can sit inside the house and watch Pakistani serials, but Diljit Dosanjh who has no connection with filmmaking is guilty! He should be banned!
This contradiction is visible in the government's policy. First, the social media accounts of Pakistani celebrities were banned. Then they were opened but after the storm on social media, they were banned again, meaning the government is unable to understand what to do with Pakistanis. On one hand, there is a thinking that some effort should be made to improve relations with Pakistan in view of that country's growing proximity with China, but on the other hand, the opinion that has been agitated also has to be kept satisfied. National icon Neeraj Chopra had to apologize that he had invited Pakistani player Arshad Nadeem to an event being held in Bengaluru. This invitation, which he cancelled, was given before Pahalgam. But there were also people who started questioning Neeraj Chopra's patriotism. His family was trolled. What kind of madness is this? In a TV debate, the anchor was loudly advocating that Pakistan should be boycotted in films and sports. He also gave the example of the ban imposed on South Africa during the apartheid policy and now Russia and Belarus in the Olympics due to Ukraine.
But they forget that the whole world had taken action against South Africa together. The entire western bloc was united against Russia and Belarus. Who is with us? No country has openly condemned Pakistan over Pahalgam. Good friend Donald Trump even invited Asim Munir for lunch. Now the Indian government has allowed the Pakistani team to play in the Asia Cup and Junior World Cup being held here, but no heated debate was seen on any TV channel on this step, like it was seen on Diljit Dosanjh. Here the government is caught in its own contradiction, if their hockey team can come then why not the cricket team? A strong response was given to the attack on Pahalgam and Pakistan had to plead for a ceasefire. It should be our firm policy that if Pakistan does any such mischief then we will beat them up. There should also be a clear policy regarding sports or films.
There is a lot of excitement in the country which needs to be reduced. It is very difficult to get down from the tiger of extremism. Everywhere, contractors of patriotism, language and religion are emerging. In Mumbai, a shopkeeper was slapped because this person from North India did not know Marathi. Raj Thackeray has openly declared that his party will slap those citizens who do not speak Marathi. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis says that he will take action, but there is no expectation from that government which is divided into three parts. What is needed is to take action against people like Raj Thackeray. The issue of Marathi versus Hindi is being unnecessarily raised. Such elements are actually anti-national and are dividing the country. In Punjab, Kanchan Kumari, who was active on social media and had taken the name of Kamal Kaur Bhabhi, was murdered by a Nihang. The complaint was that this woman, who used to post obscene and immoral things on social media, had insulted Sikh dignity by adding 'Kaur' to her name. It is possible that the complaint is right, but murder? Why are our people repeatedly taking the law into their own hands? Governments are also found to be weak. They do not want to offend anyone.
They are afraid to enforce the law for the sake of votes. Artists and sportspersons are easy targets. It is sad that getting hurt and taking the law into one's own hands has now become a part of our politics. Hate has been spread in the air. We are going backwards in our thinking. The government itself seems to be confused, which is evident from the flip flops about the social media accounts of Pakistani celebrities. We should understand that we are not an ordinary country. We have an ancient civilization, the fastest growing economy. Pakistan is nothing in front of us. We can handle them easily. But we have to be strong internally. We should leave the feeling of insecurity. Why has our nationalism become so weak that we are getting excited about a film which is not being released here? When will this phase of madness stop?