So what is more important — nationalism or universal brotherhood? While Pakistan relentlessly bleeds India with a thousand cuts, we continue to create stars out of Pakistani singers, comedians and writers. The nation of Gandhi seems to be following his philosophy of offering the other cheek when slapped on one religiously. We are the big brother — forever resilient and pluralist. In that sense, is the Oxford Bookstore's decision to ban books written by Pakistani authors the right one? Or is it merely a knee-jerk reaction?
Well, if they have done it because it's a well thought out stand and they would replicate it across India, we should respect their decision and maybe even follow suit depending on our free will. But if they have done it because they are scared of extra constitutional powers or out of some pressure, all of us who believe in the power of democracy should condemn it in no uncertain terms. Our freedom of speech and independence are our strengths and we must do everything in our means to preserve them.
Forced bans are absolutely unacceptable, voluntary boycotts though are always welcome. Remember we live in India, not Pakistan.
3 comments:
I think we should ban all things Pakistani.
Encouraging talent is a hollow sentiment when compared to the irreplaceable loss of life due to these attacks which always originate in Pakistan.
Imagine what a victim's family will feel when they see a pakistani comedian on tv, a pakistani rock group in their stereo, and a pakistani book on the shelf.
I feel India should remove the Most Favored Nation status that it has accorded to Pakistan.
And as you said Shobitji, performing the same acts under duress amounts to lack of sensitivity and patriotism and needs to be harshly condemned.
Our fight is against terrorism, not against any country. If Pakistan is encouring terrorism then we need to react and by banning and boycotting everything that is Pakistani we would be still following Gandhi...We are not being violent and at the same time not offering other cheek to them to slap us.
I also feel literature reflects the culture and mind of a nation and it is good to know the enemy's mind.
It is silly, boys will be boys fighting over toys. boys will always fight over toys, the abundance in nature is ignored, scarcity, shortages are the cause of narrow thought. I agree that Pakistan can sell anything to India, the world should be filled with abundance.
On the other side, if we have to pay back Pakistan for terrorism, we have to awaken and wake up to the possibilities of traitors on our own soil first.Believe me the English would have not won an inch of India more, had it not been for our so called local traitors and people who just wanted to grab power from the rightful heirs.
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