It’s official. You cannot be a Bollywood star and speak about intolerance in India. People will burn your effigy, you will be admonished by politicians and your films will face boycotts in sensitive parts of the country.
A case in point: Karan Johar.
At the ongoing ninth edition of Jaipur Literature Festival, Karan Johar called India a “tough” country and remarked that talking about one’s life can land you in jail.
“We are in a tough country and to speak about one’s personal life in today’s time can land you in jail,” said Karan. “I feel bound on every level, be it what I put out on the celluloid or what I say in print. I feel like there is always some kind of a legal notice awaiting me everywhere I go.”
Sadly, Karan’s hard-hitting comments have been noted by politicians who (ironically) are proving his point by their reactions.
Congress leader Manish Tewari, for instance, reacted to K.Jo by saying: “This is being said constantly and continuously that this government is against intellectuals. This government is against all those who want to carry forward a liberal and comprehensive approach. Except for Anupam Kher, most artists, producers and writers etc are speaking in the same tone.”
Minister of State for Minority Affairs and BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi remarked that those questioning tolerance in India are ignorant of its culture.
“Whoever is questioning the tolerance of Indians does not have any knowledge of Indian culture, they are ignorant,” he said.
