It's about time

The last time I was squirming like this on my seat was while watching ‘Parzania’. I wanted to blog about my mental outburst but couldn't, without sounding like a bigot. Yesterday, just a few hours before watching ‘Firaaq’ I made up my mind that I would stop blaming people. It was bad timing for this resolution. How do I even begin to explain this discomfort?

Some of my relatives never liked the idea of me playing with Muslim kids (obviously that makes me Hindu). I never got it, because according to me, they are most disciplined. My aunt disagrees and says they stink. Are you kidding me? I can show you more stinking people in a crowded Hindu wedding ceremony. It does not mean I am for Muslims or against Hindus. But who is anyone to say that they are better off than the other? What gives them the right? Is this the crap you teach children?

Nandita Das took people who have strong opinions and threw them into the most uncomfortable situations. Its so connectible that you feel their discomfort and relate to them even if you don't agree with their views. Now that's a task which not many can achieve. She does no such thing as resolute. Racism is so huge an issue that it can never have a resolution unless its unanimous. And unanimity comes only when we understand.

Some people find the concept of a whole family eating in one plate disgusting. Well if you had caught hold of every guy that had grabbed a handful of chicken rice from my lunch box, you would find a bunch of Brahmins. What were we talking about again? See, its difficult to express this anger without bringing up names. But blaming others always comes with a clause of balls to take it too.

Every story gets to you. In a very psychologically disturbing way. Every second, I was in and out of a character’s head. Without sounding chauvinistic, she is the first women director in who’s work I have seen that has this raw effect. She has experimented with stories and narration that no man has dared to go. She leaves things as they are; not even letting us decide. That's how it is and how it will remain.

One of the reasons I don't like my relatives much is because of their humor. Its so vulgar and demeaning. They love jokes that make anothers look like idiots. But to think about it, even we have made the same mistake somewhere down the lane. We too have laughed at Sardar jokes. To take it on a lighter note is fine, but don't you think this constant feeding of underlying racism will surface some day? I speak for myself when I say I am a victim of this. These jokes and conversations about Mallus, Goltis and Marvaris has made me prejudiced on some level. And when I read about the partition and the number of Sikhs that had sacrificed their lives for us, I feel bad even reading a Surd joke on my mobile. Maybe I am over reacting but I truly believe that all this is getting to us in a micro way and is bound to blow up one day.

Naseerudin Shah is staring into space and is lost while he watches a report on the riots. As much as persona and power reminds you of his acting talents, you still see him as an old compassionate person. When he corrects a racist comment by saying 'Insan, insan ko maar raha hai', you feel a slap on you face. All the recent events come back to you. Simi Gareval's racist comment, Raj Sena Muthalik's worry about couples celebrating Valentine's Day (like that is the most pressing issue our country must deal with) come to one's mind. What a waste of education. Our parents' hard earned money down the drain. We have educated ourselves to inherit this difference amidst people. Maneka Gandhi saves animals, Son promises to slay humans.

Some famous personality said she hated 'Firaaq' because it narrates the story only from one side. Yeah? What about all those million stories of Muslim terrorists? Or Musalman villains? They never cried foul saying that its stereotyped beyond hope. I feel opinions can be formed but only after you have analysed the situation completely. If you going to react even before you grasp the complete impact then I guess it like a half boiled egg. Not done.

The movie ends with a kid staring at you. You leave the theatre thinking that somehow you are responsible for his misfortune. Maybe I am. Collectively it is us, who form a community and these communities make rules and condition people. Its not based on rights and wrongs but based on comforts and conclusions. The fact that these stupid ideas or opinions actually question one's caste or identity is disturbing. Isnt that a crime to begin with?


P.s - This post was lying as a draft for more than a month. I am sorry if I hurt anyone's sentiments but towards the end it's just my opinion. Since i take pride and my vote counts, So does my opinion.