Society And Cinema
02 Feb 2023
The word ‘ Secular’ has a beautiful connotation with Indian democratic system in terms of social equilibrium and justice of civilized society to maintain harmony, irrespective of caste, creed and religion ; but it is used as a blatant tool to desecrate it’s real meaning for political ambitions and keeping tight hold upon reign . In Indian political scenario , very often, the word secular has been exploited and presented in sugar coated empathy to the communities they wanted to use as their vote banks . I do appreciate the word ‘ SECULAR ‘, but not the way it is used to satisfy the whimsical approach and sycophancy of political elite who ravaged the spirit of secularism by their own cold-blooded conspiracy for power, inhuman activities to set the social harmony on fire for political thirst and a misleading ideology of secularism . Who they claim to be pure secular are not capable to understand and define it in Indian perspective . They don’t raise questions how it can be called a genuine secular country where laws are explained for different communities on the basis of rusted religious doctrines as personal law, where in many matters secularism loses its significance on the ground of religious authority without any rational implications . The utmost need is equal right to live in harmonious atmosphere without any fear where state and laws are not influenced by religious dogmas , where justice for everyone is implemented without violence and insurgency in the name religious rigidity , where cultivation of congenial education system inspires constructive and creative intellect ; but how it would happen when the word ‘ SECULAR ‘ is not defined properly and practiced justifiably .
Appeasement of one community is not only meant to please them but to destroy as well, unfortunately it is a kind poisonous and masqueraded sweetness that mesmerizes the minds of targeted community to win elections and grab power . Do we need uniform civil code ? Personal laws on the basis of religion can never justify the term ‘ secular .’ Havoc of irrational religious fanaticism , political ill-will and communal attitude in the garb secular hypocrisy can destroy the fabric of civilized society and never let the society be cohesive and coherent .
The dictatorial misconception of secularism loses its balance for political ambition and hypocrisy wrapped in blood ridden clad of helpless humanity,though still a consolidated and explicit definition is awaited . The undefined secularism creates a rift among the societies and burst-out with discontent and discord . In the context of Kashmir, the meaning of diluted and lopsided secularism can very easily be judged . An extremely violent and gruesome happened in Kashmir just 32 years ago in spree of ethnic cleansing . All the terror funding organizations were active to support sporadic violence all over the valley but no political will has come forward to rescue . The priggish and self obsessed politicians were ruthlessly enjoying their victory for power . Those who talk of freedom of expression seem disappointed and speechless, but why ! Thousand times one should ask a question to himself – what kind of democracy we are living in ?
Flowers wept… mountains shrouded by shining snow reverberated the sound of innocent cries ….trees of Chinar bowed their heads in shame …. pieces of decomposed bodies floated in the lakes ….the shocking outcry of mothers when got raped in front of their kids and the kids slaughtered in lap of mothers made the humanity speechless….. but still the valley called heaven on earth is waiting for justice . Abandoned , plundered , devastated and burnt homes are still waiting their original inhabitants to come back and live in peacefully but rays of hope have become lusterless . A film named ‘ The Kashmir Files ‘ directed by Vivek Agnihotri is a manifestation of that outcry and the irreparable wound of blood soaked valley of a culture where philosophy , literature , music blossomed in full swing . But the pervading religious radicalization of the hard core clerics have misguided the youth towards extremist political views , religious myths and Wahhabi ideology . Only a few venomous minds have indoctrinated and instigated the brilliant young minds of Kashmir valley who wanted to progress in various fields .
The movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ if received in a negative way it may ignite the fire of hatred without any rationality but if it is taken in a positive manner it may clean the dust of hostility,animosity and hatred . The better way is to accept what went wrong against the society without putting accusation on each other . A classified group of people may show their real face of intolerance because it does not suit to their political narrative but the movie based on real incidents have power express the sufferings and pathos of homeless Kashmir people . Think of 32 years of their pain without any shelter and empathy .