Politics

حرب الهند الثقافية تصل بوليوود

Dec 12, 2017 Shashi Tharoor

نيودلهي- لقد اصبحت الثقافه والتاريخ ساحة معركه جديده في الهند وبينما لم ينتهي الجدل بعد حول وضع تاج محل كرمز للتعدد الثقافي في الهند فإن هناك جدل اخر يمزق البلاد بالفعل وهذه المره فإنه يتعلق بأحد الأفلام .

إن الفيلم "بادمافاتي" يحكي قصة ملكة راجبوت والتي تحمل الاسم نفسه ويعتقد انها ماتت مع 16000 إمرأه اخرى من طبقة محاربي راجبوت وذلك باشعال النار في انفسهن سنة 1301 من اجل تجنب ان يتم اسرهن من قبل سلطان دلهي الغازي علاءالدين خيلجي وعلى الرغم ان الفيلم لم يتم عرضه بعد فلقد ظهرت بالفعل اخبار كثيره عنه على الصفحات الاولى للصحف بالإضافة الى النقاشات في نشرات الاخبار المسائيه كما ظهرت تهديدات هستيريه بالعنف بالاضافة الى منعه في اربع ولايات تقع تحت سيطرة حزب بهارتيا جانتا الحاكم .

إن هناك شكوك حول الدقة التاريخية لقصة بادمافاتي فلا توجد أي اشارة للملكه في أي من الوقائع التاريخيه المعاصره لهجوم خيلجي على شيتورجار بما في ذلك من المؤرخين الذين رافقوا قواته ولكن بادمافاتي كانت شخصية اسطوريه منذ سنة 1540 عندما قام الشاعر الصوفي مالك محمد جاياسي بتكريس ملحمته الشعريه "بادمافات "لقصتها.

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0 Comments on this paragraph, 12 Comments on this article

Jhalak Jain Jan 21, 2018

Respected Shashi Tharoor Sir,
The way you have demystified the complicated PADMAVATI controversy is highly appreciated. But, the most important thing to be emphasized today is that FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION should not take the form of INTOLERANCE in this pluralist & democratic India
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Hamid Rizvi Dec 28, 2017

Shashi, I appreciate the effort of Indians like yourself encouraging debate rather than senseless outrage over something that never even happened. However, I can understand the the misplaced anger and the ensuing rancor over a suggestion of a Hindu woman (princess, beggar or chief) being suggested in a liaison with a Muslim whoever. There, is just too much history and time that will need to be overcome. Efforts such as your's will help. Poor Wendy Doniger indeed a sanscrit scholar has borne the brunt of India's obsession with Myths...catch my drift!
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jagjeet sinha Dec 14, 2017

WHY THE CONGRESS CAN'T CHANGE COURSE
In espousing the cause of Secular society, the author rightly rejects religiosity.
But for Seven Decades the self-proclaimed Secular Democrats sowed Sectarianism.
Caste divisions were were exploited by Global Sectarian Forces to usurp power.
The Economic Geography of Seven Decades marginalized The Heartlands.
Galvanized by the BJP Cowboys - The Heartlands democratically trumped.
The First Family - and its court jesters - are attacking the Cowboys with Religion.
Instead of focusing on economic failures - DeMo and GST - in The Cowboys rule.
It only exposes the Sectarian Myopia of the Secular Democrats.
Funded by Global Sectarian Forces - that destroyed India's Economic Geography.
Without focus on the Cowboys failures in realignment of Economic Geography.
Having marginalized The Heartlands for Seven Decades - Congress can't change.
Hence the recourse to Religion and Sectarianism seems to be their only hope.
The Caste foundations of Congress remains allied with Global Sectarian Forces.
The Padmavati predicament perhaps an opportunity for The NDTV mafia to malign.
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varun bhagi Dec 13, 2017

No single party or ideology is to be blamed for the intimidating atmosphere presently prevalent in India. The problem lies with the lack of spine in politicians who see these hooligans just as a vote bank. As I recall when Wendy Doniger controversy broke out UPA was in power in Delhi, still it did nothing to allay the publisher's fears.
Misfortune for India that while its previous PM preferred silence over everything ,all the current PM does is empty talk.
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Karthik Subramanian Dec 12, 2017

What's sad is, Mr Tharoor is in a party which in itself does not believe in democracy when choosing it's president and someone as knowledgeable and well spoken as Mr Tharoor is treated like a junior minister while one with lack of knowledge, leadership or ability to speak is being made the party president. Would have lot more respect for what Mr Tharoor writes if he were an independent contestant, otherwise all such articles just stink of hypocrisy. Mr Tharoor - form your own party with few other like minded people and see the immense support you will get in India.
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P. Kamath Dec 12, 2017

Yes, Shashi Tharoor has described the sad story of intolerance that is sweeping India these days. It is so true. Most people outside India are ignorant of the politically correct and ultra nationalistic face of the current ruling party (BJP)headed by prime minister Narendra Modi. It draws its inspiration from another party : Rastriya Swayamsevak Sevak Sangh (RSS) which was formed in 1925 mimicking the Fascist party of Mussolini. To them, here in India Muslims are what Jews were for the Nazis. These thugs have established firm control in the parliament, Prime minister and the President are all either from BJP or RSS.

BTW, does any one remember that that Mahatma Gandhi , apostle of non-violence under whose leadership, freedom was won ,the greatest of Indians of last century was assassinated by member of RSS party in 1947?

Their prime agenda is to make India , a Hindu nation based on fraudulent historical claims. Indian Civillization (IA) was never So called Hindu but also Buddhist in its evolution. IA can not be viewed without Muslim contribution either during the past centuries since circa 1100 AD.

Sometimes, I wonder, the secular dreams and establishment of India would survive in the coming days at this rate when current government run by Mr. Modi and his ignoramus ministers, demagogues and idiotic followers. All one can do is to hope and pray.

Congratulations Shashi for being brave to jot down your colomn.
- Jan Czaja Dec 13, 2017
  
  I have no skin in the game but I understand the Hindu perspective. To tell you my perspective, it would be just like showing a Polish woman in a love scene with a Nazi. To some that's art, freedom of expression. To others, its a remainder of very violent and ugly history. You obviously only see one side of the story and are dismissive of other. The fact is that people are not "post-history" as Fukayama proposed, rather history lives with us. More so, the history is actually gaining momentum after discreditation of liberal world order after 2008. I would advise get used to it and accept the change.
  - Hamid Rizvi Dec 28, 2017
    
    Unless, you can keep history in the rear view with your eyes wide open on the road ahead; you will forever remain prisoner of YOUR history. Move on!
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  - Karthik Subramanian Dec 13, 2017
    
    Thanks Jan. Interesting perspective. While I don't agree with protest/ban such examples helps empathise with the protestors.
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- P. Kamath Dec 13, 2017
  
  Correction: Gandhi was assassinated one the year of 1948 and not 1947 By a RSS party member. In his name a temple is being built in India today!
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