Indians being brainwashed into believing Pakistan is the enemy: Naseeruddin Shah

[Bang Galore]

There is a political context to this statement that being ; Muslim aversion for Modi
And There is also STRONG religious sub- text to Mr Naseeruddin Shah's statement

Now the question remains How many of his own co religionists believe in him

This statement might escape wider scrutiny but it is Much WORSE than
what Mr Mani Shankar aiyar has been espousing so far

I happen to think that this statement is pretty innocuous, almost banal. I don't think Naseeruddin shah's comment had anything to do with his religion, i don't think that he is really interested on that subject. You must remember that we are talking about someone whose brother was a distinguished general of the Indian army & the vice chief. He belongs to the same religion as his brother, do you want to stretch your argument to him?

 

[Stephen Cohen]

I happen to think that this statement is pretty innocuous, almost banal. I don't think Naseeruddin shah's comment had anything to do with his religion, i don't think that he is really interested on that subject. You must remember that we are talking about someone whose brother was a distinguished general of the Indian army & the vice chief. He belongs to the same religion as his brother, do you want to stretch your argument to him?

I too am aware of his brother ; being the vice chief of Army staff

His brother's long years on the front line and his service to the nation have had no
positive effect on Mr Naseeruddin Shah

He , Naseerudin Shah belongs to a " class " of his own

Here I am reminded of Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain 's articles in the media in the last year or two
describing the grave situation on the LOC and the daily super human efforts put in by our troops
in fending off the enemy

Surely Lt Gen Zameeruddin SHAH ; the brother of Naseerudin Shah must have
given similar accounts to him

That makes Mr Naseeruddin Shah look even more pathetic

 

[Bang Galore]

I too am aware of his brother ; being the vice chief of Army staff

His brother's long years on the front line and his service to the nation have had no
positive effect on Mr Naseeruddin Shah

He , Naseerudin Shah belongs to a " class " of his own

Here I am reminded of Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain 's articles in the media in the last year or two
describing the grave situation on the LOC and the daily super human efforts put in by our troops
in fending off the enemy

Surely Lt Gen Zameeruddin SHAH ; the brother of Naseerudin Shah must have
given similar accounts to him

That makes Mr Naseeruddin Shah look even more pathetic

I don't believe you can make such a sweeping comment based on that one remark. we have had leaders like Advani & Jaswant Singh say many things as did many others. Mani Shankar Aiyar repeatedly says something similar & gets roasted for it but religion is not brought into it. I believe for one to make a definitive statement of the type that you are doing, we need far more evidence & that isn't forthcoming at this point. People say daft things all the time, unless a pattern exists, it is best to discount it as an aberration & move on.

 

[vegav]

Om Puri came last time.

He had similar sentiments.

While going back, he swore he will NOT work in any anti Pakistan movie.

woh daaru pk kuch bhi bolta hain,but yeah he is a punjabi,so khush hua hoga.

1. as a muslim-born, i reject the concept of "nation" which was only created during the french revolution, for other purposes than creating unnatural/artificial hate-filled societies... islam is not limited by race or region ( or even world, i will say )... as example, the muslim conquest of southern europe began within hundred years of the death of hazrat muhammad, and muslims ruled parts of spain, portugal and italy for about 700 years... so for a muslim, there is no isolationist "bharat" kind of land.

2. i see no reason to automatically hate pakistan... the usa capitalist governments have killed millions and destroyed fine progressive societies... i work to bring the capitalists down or isolate them.

3. i am socialist... please read of my outlook on this in my just-previous post.

whatever u are,India is the nation.

If you hate it so much as it fundamentally contradicts your existence,please go to saudi arabia.

 

[Kao Boy]

I tend to agree with the last part. My mother had the most trouble migrating from Lucknow to Karachi since she lived in Lucknow with Indian passport most of her life. Pakistan was not only made for muslims oppressed by India but also for all minorities who felt oppressed. If you feel this is untrue then ask Zafarullah Khan, Joginder Nath Mandal and Joseph Pottan why they supported Pakistan. You should also ask why Jinnah invited Sikhs to build a Pakistan.

The problem was Ayub Khan closed the borders before all muslim families could migrate to Pakistan. The border was supposed to remain open to muslim or other families who wanted to migrate to Pakistan. Also you are right about the loyalty of Christians and Hindus of Pakistan. Read about Kaneria's interview... anyway even if we disagree that the Christians and Hindus of Pakistan are well treated we should agree that they must be provided equal if not special rights.

There is no doubt that Pakistan was made on the basis of religion and I am certain about it. Sir Syed khan established Mohammeden Anglo University now Aligarh university to educate Muslims so they don't leave behind as Hindus were progressing in pre independence India.. I agree that mass of Muslims were too learned like All,Muslim league but majority was not hence the Idea of Pakistan came.. It is a known truth .. You may wanna search about it and with all due respect I will too about what you mentioned.. Again Pakistan was a call to ummah.. That is why east Bengal was added to Pakistan .. Or else Bengalis would have stayed with India..

usually when i am alone,i think as to why we are born as Pakistanis and than too neighbor to a country like india?are we cursed for our ancestors sins to be the neighbor of india?

Afghanistan too think the same way for Pakistan... Are we intervening in your internal matters or are we giving refuge to any enemy of Pakistan.. Any one from Afghani Taliban any baloch... I and wiki leaks has numerous names who still have refuge in Pakistan.. Stop this blame game and retrospect yourselves..

 

[MokshaVimukthi]

I happen to think that this statement is pretty innocuous, almost banal. I don't think Naseeruddin shah's comment had anything to do with his religion, i don't think that he is really interested on that subject. You must remember that we are talking about someone whose brother was a distinguished general of the Indian army & the vice chief. He belongs to the same religion as his brother, do you want to stretch your argument to him?

Your statement is pretty ignorant.

Naseeruddin shah' brother is the same guy who as the VC of Aligarh Muslim University prevented under grands girls from using the library quoting lack of "space".

This is the same guy who did not allow celebration of Raja Mendhra Singh in this "Muslim" university. He wrote to Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani in protest against the event and feared massive unrest if the event is held inside.

This is the same guy who asked or "additional" funds from Smriti Irani when asked to give equal access to girls for the library.

It is ridiculous to claim they have nothing to do with his or his brother religion.

Just because Jinnah ate Pork it does not mean he did not want Pakistan or was not communal.

 

[Stephen Cohen]

Stop this blame game and retrospect yourselves..

I think you meant " Introspect yourselves "

 

[Kao Boy]

I think you meant " Introspect yourselves "

Yes thanks that was a typo

 

[wiseone2]

On his return to India after a successful tour to Pakistan, veteran Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah expressed regret at the animosity towards Pakistan prevalent in his home country.

Naseeruddin Shah was in Pakistan in February to promote his bookAnd then one day: A Memoir. He also graced the Lahore Literary Festival and conducted a theater workshop at the Karachi Arts Council to a packed audience.

In an interview to entertainment website Bollywood Hungama, Shah said, “It is tragic that often-times performers from Pakistan are prevented from performing in this country. Recently, there was a very disturbing instance of a Pakistani artiste’s work being destroyed in Ahmedabad. But they welcome us in Pakistan with open arms.”

He stressed the need to keep political differences between the two countries aside. “I keep going to Pakistan because I feel it is very important to have a person-to-person contact. We can’t afford to be swayed by all the political rhetoric. Politicians will change colours whenever it suits them. Indians are being brainwashed into believing Pakistan to be the enemy country without being aware of the historical background.”

He further added that Indians need to look beyond the political animosity. “I’d make a very strong appeal for that. And this has nothing whatsoever to with my being Muslim. What can we possibly gain from this form of ragging that we practice against Pakistan? It is a bully’s way of asserting himself. They are next door neighbors.”

Mentioning the love and regard for Indians in Pakistan, the actor said, “The tragedy of the political divide between the two countries is symbolical. It should go. That would never happen until we travel to Pakistan more often and interact with the local people. There is a great deal of curiosity and admiration in Pakistan for what India has achieved.”

He added, “They love me unconditionally in Pakistan. They are nuts about our stars like Salman and Shah Rukh. But I also sense a reverent affection in Pakistan for actors like me, Om Puri and Farooq Sheikh. I feel very special in Pakistan.”

Source Indians being brainwashed into believing Pakistan is the enemy: Naseeruddin Shah - The Express Tribune

Given partition, Hindu-Muslim rivalries in India there will be always anti-Pakistan crowd in India.

Friendship is a two way street. If he is interested in India-Pakistan friendship I wonder what he has to say about Pakistani history books

attacks on Pakistani artists, exchange students and journalists are reprehensible

 

[wiseone2]

i have always liked naseer sahab... he has a great presence on screen and superb manner of speech... and it was high time he gave political statements.

of course he is correct... indians on the whole are put for brainwashing on many lines, including automatic hatred for pakistan and china... i have seen people use the word "communism" in wrong ways because they were never taught what communism truly means... many indians will automatically ignore "honor killings" and student suicides and people dying of hunger, but will automatically bay for the blood of maoists !!!

many indians are confused, not knowing where should their hatreds go... the culture here is reactionary.

india is highly materialistic therefore many of its people are easily brainwashed... isn't india the biggest market for useless consumer items like cell phone and video game machines and motorcycles??

that is such a old series... when did you see it??

We are a free society. people get carried away from time to time. generally we are pretty level headed

we do not ignore "honor killings". people who do such things in India land in prison or they are on the run

why are cellphones and motor cycles useless items ? some people do not use them properly. that does not make them useless

 

[Guynextdoor2]

Other than the brainwashing comment, this is a old line used by quite a few people of a certain generation. Former NSA Shivshankar Menon made an important remark recently. When asked about the prospects of peace with Pakistan, he said something that has almost never been said by anyone holding or having held a high office in India. He said bluntly that there was no constituency in India pushing for friendship with Pakistan which he pointed that in a democracy, politicians will have to factor in. He said that other than a few Punjabis, no one really was interested in Pakistan anymore. Quite an extraordinary statement coming from one one of India's top diplomats.

The reactions to Naseeruddin Shah's comments stem from the changed mindset in India. Especially, post 26/11. Hostilty towards the Pakistani state is pretty widespread. Absolutely no market in India for such wishy-washy comments.

I agree with his assessment. But I also think that we need to create some alternative formula. Indians really don't want to go to war either. And I think Pakistanis are looking at us as an 'existential threat' a lot less than before. I think the climate for a 'win win' solution should be created.

 

[MokshaVimukthi]

I agree with his assessment. But I also think that we need to create some alternative formula. Indians really don't want to go to war either. And I think Pakistanis are looking at us as an 'existential threat' a lot less than before. I think the climate for a 'win win' solution should be created.

Good idea, why don't we offer to sacrifice a few more Indians to create the right climate ? What is an acceptable number to you ? 10 ? 100? 1000 ?

 

[Nicky G]

Naseer-who? Couldn't resist.

Anyway, speaking of brain-washing, maybe Mr. Shah should look up what kids in Pak schools are taught concerning India and then see if even a significant fraction of the same is reflected in Indian schools.

I'd post links but its easy enough to look up on the web.

I understand his bias and need to please his co-religions but when you utter something as a public figure, there should be some sense. If not, well, he serves as good entertainment this time to laugh and ridicule.

 

[livingdead]

that is true unfortunately.. the 24/7 media needs to show some balance ... it always shows India as victim of pak sponsored terror..

 

[Stephen Cohen]

.. it always shows India as victim of pak sponsored terror..

So what is the truth or reality in your opinion