The ageing film actor Feroze Khan, whose bald pate greets the
advertisement for Pan Bahar Pan Masala, recently went to Pakistan for
the premiere of his brother Akbar Khan’s film – Taj Mahal. It was a
landmark event because in Pakistan, Indian films are not allowed to be
screened let alone premiered with pomp and glamour. A press conference
was arranged so that the well heeled , who were invited to the
function could hear the right kind of speeches , clap a bit , watch an
Indian movie in a theatre in a legitimate manner and then go home. But
Feroze Khan spoilt every thing. He had decided to begin having his fun
a way ahead of time and landed up at the reception intoxicated
according to the newspaper reports covering the high voltage event.
Once in high spirits, nothing could hold him back. He held forth
merrily on how in a secular India, in spite of many scratches and
blemishes, Muslims had lived and prospered and had become stars. The
decision to put up PJ Abdul Kalam as president , no matter how a
distinguished scientist he is was a political choice of the NDA
government of the time but if the Khans dominate so many aspects of
Bollywood – Shahrukh, Salman , Amir , Saif Ali, Fardeen , Kader and
other Muslims like Javed Akhtar , AR Rehman , Tabu , MA Kareem ,
Naseeruddin Shah , and then in cricket – Irfan Pathan , Zaheer Khan
and in earlier times , Syed Kirmanai , Mohammed Azharuddiin , Mansur
Ali Khan Pataudi it was by dint of sheer merit and the opportunities
offered to them in a genuine application of separation of religion
and state. of course , this would apply to other minority faiths too
and disciplines other than just cricket and films.
In the same vein, he went on to say that in Pakistan one brand of
Islam has pounced upon the slightest opportunity to slaughter other
brands of Muslims. First came the attack on the Ahmediyas – admittedly
a heterodox sect – the most glittering of Pakistan’s intelligentsia
came from within its ranks – they were declared a heretical non
Islamic sect during Z.A. Bhutto’s time. The ban still continues to be
in place. Then began the sectarian attacks between the Shias and the
Sunnis which still continue unabated, especially in Karachi. By the
time he was eventually dragged out by his brother and son, Feroze Khan
had delivered a veritable history on the roots of Pakistan and its
genesis as a failed state in politically indiscreet but blunt terms
that did the RSS proud and which paid subsequent tribute to the
intoxicated actor in glowing terms as a true patriot.
The next morning, khan in sober spirits, predictably retracted large
chunks of his statement. He claimed that he had been carried away by
some indiscreet remarks directed at his co star Manisha Koirala and
that his Pathan blood had begun boiling and subsequently he got
carried away and was no longer compos mentis. While appreciating
Feroze Khan’s chivalry though, most people agreed in private agreed
with Khan had said the previous night, because as we all know, a drink
or two frees up our tongue and our inhibitions and sets us free to
tell our tale s we have experienced it in our heart.
Feroze Khan, though he was indiscreet, didn’t get it wrong. For all
the riots that take place, for all the persecution that occurs, in
India, there is space and a platform available for raising our voices
and making our anguish known, whenever such incidents do occur. More
often than not, the public opinion that gets built up is strong enough
to tone things down and have matters resolved. And all the religious
and other ethnic stereo typing that we so often condemn happens well
enough , every where else too. Last week, I read the news of a
Malayali catholic priest who had gone to Saudi Arabia to minister to
his migrant congregation and was saying mass in a private apartment as
is well permitted by the law. There was no news that any Nationals
were present. Nevertheless, the religious police raided the place,
picked up the priest, tossed him into a van and deported him back to
India. Once back home, his Bishop could only express “relief” that the
priest came back with his life intact. There was not much left to say
any way, given the fact that Saudi Arabia doesn’t claim to abide even
by the rudiments of religious freedom. So next time, we hear of
persecution and harassment and obstacles, let us by all means stop and
protest. But in between, let us stop and raise a toast to Feroze Khan,
who reminded us that in India, there are boundless opportunities too.