Dr Pervez Hoodboy was on spot while delivering the keynote address at the 7th Karachi Literature Festival when he described the prevailing hopelessness in both India and Pakistan, thanks to these countries’ mind fixation on the past. Every nation loves its past but at the same time it should learn lessons from it as well. But in case of these two arch-rival neighbours, they are hooked to a questionable so-called glorious past, not letting them to move forward. To me, it appears to be a competition to prove to what extent of stupidity they can go for. By sticking to religious extremism both countries are not serving their masses who need food, shelter, education, security and better future.
As if the wave of intolerance was not subsiding against Bollywood’s Aamir Khan for merely highlighting the growing intolerance in the society, a court in India has accepted plea against the other two King Khans of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, for wearing shoes in a temple on the sets of TV reality show ‘Bigg Boss’. Why can’t it be understood that it was not a real temple but a set assembled on stage to shoot a few scenes for the show? But as said, common sense is the least common commodity among most of the people. This extended influence of religion to fan hatred among masses took me to 70s wherein in a TV drama one Pakistani actor divorced the actress who was playing his wife’s role. Incidentally both were a lovely couple in real life as well. Religious scholars created a scene in media declaring that the couple was now separated, no more husband and wife. That was 70s; now in 2016 everyone knows to which direction these two counties have moved to — questioning ordinary people if they have eaten beef, claiming India invented planes thousands of years back!
No one can help a nation which sells and buys religion to make a living.
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia
