Hatred towards Muslims has become "fashionable" in India: Naseeruddin Shah
Entertainment
Naseeruddin Shah raises concerns over increasing hatred against Muslims in India
MUMBAI (Web Desk) - Renowned Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah has expressed his deep apprehension about the rising hostility faced by Muslims in India, describing it as a "fashionable" trend. In a recent conversation, Shah discussed the alarming spread of unabashed Islamophobia and the dangerous consequences it poses for a diverse country like India. He also shed light on how this propaganda is being exploited to gain votes in elections.
When asked about the disinformation being propagated through certain films and shows, Shah voiced his concern about the current state of affairs, saying, "Oh, certainly, these are indeed worrying times. The kind of content that is pure, undisguised propaganda is being eagerly consumed, and it reflects the prevailing spirit of the times. Hatred towards Muslims has become fashionable these days, even among educated individuals. The ruling party has astutely tapped into this sentiment. We often talk about secularism and democracy, so why introduce religion into everything?"
The veteran actor emphasized that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has skillfully capitalized on this sentiment by merging religion with political motives.
He questioned the integrity of the Election Commission, stating, "How spineless is our Election Commission, which doesn't even dare to utter a word? If a Muslim leader had made a statement like 'press the button after saying Allah Hu Akbar,' there would have been a massive outcry."
Shah added, "But here, our Prime Minister goes ahead and makes such statements, and yet he doesn't face any consequences. So, I am hopeful that this trend will eventually fade away. However, at the moment, it has reached its peak. The government has played a very clever card, and it has worked. Let's see how long it continues to work."
This is not the first time that Naseeruddin Shah has criticized the Indian government. Last year, he voiced his concerns about the government's promotion of films like "The Kashmir Files" instead of prioritizing the security and rehabilitation of Hindus in Kashmir.
In another interview, he spoke out against Bollywood being encouraged by the government to produce more pro-establishment films, labeling it a "jingoistic agenda." Unlike many other actors, Shah is known for fearlessly speaking his mind and addressing social and political issues in India.
