The Communal Mind
on March 24, 2009
Theme: communalism : Gulzar : mind : religion
I met the poet Gulzar some days before he was nominated for the Oscar award. We were at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) that was hosting a theatrical adaptation of his writings on Indo-Pak border issues titled ‘Lakeerein‘.
“Would Pakistan have allowed such a performance in its theatres?”
“Is the polity there as embracing as it is here?”
Such questions got lost in the midst of questions in the post-play section where the audience got to interact with the poet.
“What happened to us (26/11 attacks in Mumbai) and what our neighbour allows in its territory is unfair and needs condemnation,” some ladies discussed someplace behind me.
A question about Pakistan supported terrorism was asked and Gulzar said that many warnings were given to the Indian government about the possibility of such attacks but it did nothing. A vague answer; he could have declined to answer any political questions; his prerogative.
A lady stood up and said that her family member had suffered in the 26/11 attacks and in a long-winded statement that was hard to decipher she stated that an Indian soldier during the rescue asked the troubled member if he was a Hindu or a Muslim.
The people were confused but they got the last part of the statement and some of them started murmuring and clapping. While clapping, the ladies behind me and many other men and women were confirming the details of the statement. Nobody bothered about the actual turn of events. No clarifications were sought form the lady. But they all clapped in support of the lady and against communalism.
Outside the theatre, a small group was still decoding the statement. But it was agreed that the soldier was communalist.
¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥¥
The superhero stumbled as he jumped across the roofs of the neighbouring buildings.
Superhuman effort.
Saviour.
Proud of you.
The superhero reached the building and saved the maiden from the raging fire.
“Come now, say something romantic to me”, the maiden said to her saviour.
The saviour thought about the green fields.
“Ai lady, are you country or city?”
“City”, she blushed.
The saviour thought of cow and milk.
“Working or homely?”
“Homely”, she shied away.
Then the saviour thought about her habits, her style of greeting and what she wore when not these torn clothes.
“And lady, are you Hindu or Muslim?”
Then the lady told the people about her talk with the soldier.
They didn’t understand why he asked her about milk and green fields and religion. But he asked about religion.
“Tch..tch..”
He must be communalist.
![[del.icio.us]](http://theyoungindia.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://theyoungindia.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://theyoungindia.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Google]](http://theyoungindia.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://theyoungindia.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Technorati]](http://theyoungindia.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Twitter]](http://theyoungindia.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
![[Windows Live]](http://theyoungindia.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/windowslive.png)
![[Email]](http://theyoungindia.com/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
Comments
Perceptive.
Whatever we say, we are communal and casteist- most of us are. People who go Tch Tch at communalism are the worst offenders- they ignore everything that is uncomfortable.
I think in India, to really practice secularism, you have to be a really religious person- or someone who is sincere about saints like Shirdi Sai Baba or Kabir… We cannot manage our contradictions otherwise.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
excellently put. i love how u have put forth the idea. have been wanting to say the same for a while now.
–posted by the author
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Gulzar answered:
Many warnings were given to the Indian government about the possibility of such attacks but it did nothing.
the answer has many questions. intelligent reply Gulzar Saheb.
Good job Kartikey.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]
Nice how you illustrate the workings of an ordinary mind, Kartikeya.
Unfortunately themes under the broad heading of political correctness are not available to man.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
[Reply]