The role of media in the intolerance debate and the Aamir controversy

Last couple of days saw Aamir Khan being drawn into an unnecessary controversy where one of his statements surfaced in media stating that his wife doesn't feel very safe in the country and has even talked about leaving the country. While memes started floating abound making us laugh on the issue, what was surprising was how the Hindu rightwing hardliners reacted to the issue. Soon messages were being circulated branding Aamir as a traitor; asking him to leave the country (some even choosing a destination for him - the ever popular neighbouring country Pakistan); encouraging people to uninstall the Snapdeal app because Aamir promotes the online retailer; and asking people not to watch 'Dangal', his upcoming movie.

Now, I'm not a fan of Aamir Khan and have even criticized him off and on on various issues especially for his 'Satyamev Jayate' episode on doctors; but I, for once, have no doubts about his patriotism. Moreover, I find the extreme reactions ridiculous. Snapdeal doesn't subscribe to his personal views just because he is their brand ambassador. 'Dangal' is not just an Aamir Khan film, there are thousands more people associated with it - people who do not hold the same viewpoint and whose bread and butter also depend on the movie. And what to say about the statements of the so called Hindu propagandists, with the latest being Shiv Sena which has announced a Rs. 1 Lac award for anyone who slaps Aamir Khan? Really? How can one stoop down to such a level?

I personally think that he or Shahrukh Khan or anybody for that matter, has a right to say whatever they want. Isn't that what tolerance is all about? By punishing them for what they say, we are actually proving them right. By banning their movies and endorsements etc., we are actually demonstrating that we are indeed intolerant. Let's be big hearted enough to ignore what they say and carry on as usual. Let's really be tolerant in the real sense.

But, more importantly, the issue is much more than just that. It is not just about whether Aamir had the freedom to express his views. It is actually about what role is media playing in this episode. Aamir gave a 30 min. interview and he spoke about a lot of things. In fact, he added right after that very sentence that he doesn't agree with the viewpoint. But our very "free" press snipped out 30 seconds from the 30 minute interview and created a controversy and a furore. It is not any more about Aamir's freedom of speech or the common man's freedom of speech. It is more about a common man's right to know the complete truth and the bigger picture.

All through the intolerance debate and ever since it started, I have a feeling that the media is unnecessarily creating controversies and chaos where there shouldn't be any. They are purposefully highlighting religious tones in any statement, any incident whatsoever, no matter how stray the incident is or how weak the connection is (sometimes even using just snippets for their wilful purpose as in Aamir's case). All this simply because controversy sells.

It's high time we all start using our minds and stop believing everything that media projects.

The intolerance debate!!

After BJP lost in Bihar, a friend of mine summarized on Facebook the situation for BJP as follows: "I hope at least now the BJP realise that they came to power after the 2014 General Elections, not because of their core saffron constituency - but because a large number of Indians who are free minded, fair and desirous of economic growth have given them a chance to implement their development agenda. If they do not rein in the foot-in-mouth ban-at-sight brigade, they will simply not be able to deliver growth, jobs, infrastructure and development, and will end up getting severely chastised by the Indian voter."

This is exactly what was going on in my mind.

I'll be honest. I had lost all interest in politics until Mr. Narendra Modi hopped on to the national scene. My family has been a big-time BJP supporter for years but I personally had not found one leader in BJP - not even in any other party - who could inspire me after Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee retired. My attitude, much like most of the youth around, was that of indifference towards Indian Politics. But then Mr. Modi came forward. He had an impressive track record in Gujarat. I did understand even then that he thrives a lot on publicity but honestly, I did not find anything objectionable in that. I still don't. After all we in corporate world do understand that selling your work is just as important as doing good work. But, this works only if you do have some base of work and results to showcase.

Add to it that his entire agenda for the General Elections was based on "Development". His mission statement looked realistic. Many of the promises had a timeline of 10 years or more unlike the promises of 7 days / 30 days / 100 days as promoted by a certain new emerging popular rival fighting it out on an anti-corruption agenda. Mr. Modi got a clear mandate and since then he has worked on a lot of issues. He has been criticised as well as praised for everything he has done, or done away with. He has taken both in his stride and ignored what got into is way.

I'm neither a political expert, nor an economic analyst. But, as a layman whatever steps he took seemed beneficial in the long run. He was a pro in getting his messages across through various mediums. For instance, he introduced the "Beti bachao, Beti padhao" campaign and ensured that the females were in fore-front in the Republic Day Parade. He has been travelling across the world promoting "Make in India" and ensuring FDI deals for India. But it would be foolish to assume that all that FDI will enter India on the next day at one go. It would be foolish to assume "Achche Din" will come in one year. They both will take their own sweet time and will flow in slowly in their own comfortable speed.

Anyway, the point is that even though I still have all the trust in Mr. Modi's policies and strategy, I'm losing faith again in BJP. At this point, I sincerely believe that BJP might not be in power to see another term and further Mr. Modi's agenda; or reap its fruits just as well. And all this is not new to BJP even. They never make it another term in a row. But they don't learn either. The moment they get power, their tongues start wagging and they start waving their highly irresponsible saffron-coated flags. This time due to a full majority, they've gone full swing into beef-banning, Muslim bashing, RSS orthodox moral policing, etc. So much so that the entire country is debating on intolerance.

More than all this, what irks me is that Mr. Modi, the famed authoritarian, is absolutely quiet on that. Does he not understand that he needs to be on the PM chair at least two terms to fulfil what he has set out to do? Does he not understand from the Delhi and Bihar verdicts that such irresponsible behaviour from his party and their "associates" will not lead him to a second term in office? What exactly is keeping him from reigning in the motor-mouths and the obnoxious orthodoxes? Isn't it high time, he stops being so smug in his position and so confident in his work that he totally ignores the periphery? Isn't it time he salvages his reputation of a pro-development and anti-orthodox leader?