Of IPL, SRK's loose talk, and Hindu-Muslim unity

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Imagine a scenario--PPL--Pakistani Premiere League auctions players for its franchises and none of world renowned Indian cricketers are bought by these franchises? Would Pakistani media and their sports personalities react the same way few of our media folks and other important personalities are responding? Probably not going by their past histrionics. However, it seems that several Indians feel that Pakistani cricketers were given a rough deal due to Indian Government's orders. True or complete lies--several articles and blogs have been dedicated to this issue. Perhaps the best article that I have read on this issue is one written by Harsha Bhogle in which he lucidly explained that it is the times we live in that need to blamed for the fiasco.

Several sporting personalities and top journalists feel that sports and politics should be separated. Idealistic thought! I wonder if they can propose a way out to keep sports and politics separate between these two warring nations at a time when India is under constant threat from Pakistan, when Kashmir recently saw a long gun battle and when despite our dear PM's insane act of including Balochistan in the Sharm-al-Shaikh agreement India is yet to see any concrete steps taken by Pakistan to punish the 26/11 perpetrators. The truth is that no sport in the subcontinent can live in isolation and expect to ignore the harsh realities of hatred and violence from across the border.

Several personalities both from media and non-media aired the views in support of the apparently humiliated Pakistani cricketers. However, the most disgusting comment came from the often big-mouthed SRK, coincidentally the owner of one of the franchises who also did not buy any Pakistani cricketers. It is not the support shown for the Paki cricketers that came as a shocker (though I fail to understand why he did not buy any of them if he was so concerned about their treatment; after all didn't he buy Shane Bond) but this statement of his "It (Pakistan) is a great neighbor to have. We are great neighbors, they are good neighbors. Let us love each other." Pakistan a good neighbor in what respect - in the way it kills our civilians, funds terrorist organizations, or because the Pakistani people are a huge source of revenue overseas for his movies?

It is no secret that one of the major reasons why SRK's movies are successful abroad is that a huge South Asian fan base which includes a major chunk of Paki audience watches his films. Even in his overseas tours he never forgets to ask - "where are my Pakistani friends?" I have no issues with that too, but when he says that "Let me be honest. My family is from Pakistan, my father was born there and his family is from there", it is a major issue in the larger scheme of Hindu Muslim unity which we avoid to speak openly but have discussed in the cozy confines of our drawing rooms.

A major thorn in the harmonious relationship of Hindus and Muslims in India is the fact that several Indian Muslims share the same sentiments that SRK has--that they have friends and relatives in Pakistan, that their parents' families are from Pakistan and thus, they sympathize with Pakistan. They always support Pakistan in cricket matches in which India is not involved and they also sometimes (or most of the times) support Pakistan against India as well. Go to any Muslim dominated locality in Delhi or other cities and I have seen them burning fire crackers and distributing sweets when Pakistan wins against India. Any Indian loyalist will feel deeply hurt even if it is a "mere sport". I know several of my Muslim friends who oppose such actions by their brethren. They feel let down by the actions and inactions of their own community but then they hesitate to come out in the open. Wonder why?

Numerous talk shows have been dedicated to analyze how to improve the harmony between Hindus and Muslims. Hindus, they say, should treat Muslims like brothers respect their religious preferences. We do and we also have no issues when our government proposes to help them move up the food chain. We can also digest the fact that their religion is more important than singing Vande Mataram. But we cannot accept the fact that an Indian supports Pakistan especially in these times. So MR. Shah Rukh Khan, in your insatiate greed to see your new movie successful and in your fear of losing a major audience, do not play politics of convenience and create fissures in Hindu-Muslim unity.

And to all my dear Muslim friends, the biggest step that should be taken to improve the relations between Hindus and Muslims in India is to understand the root cause--which is nothing but few (or most) of you supporting Pakistan. I am a proud Hindu and I will respect any Muslim who is a proud Muslim. However, this does not matter to me as long as we all are Proud Indians. We do not need "ambassadors of Islam" as SRK claims to be. We need ambassadors of India to make India a stronger, safer and prosperous place.

This Republic Day why can't we all--educated Hindus and Muslims come together and address such a big issue (probably other issues that might arise out of this educated discussion) which accept it or not, express it or not, is in the heart of every true Indian and which celebrities like SRK fail to understand in their moment of madness. After all, as Deepak Chopra once tweeted - Forgiveness in the heart comes about when the walls of separation in the mind fall.

Happy 61st Republic Day to all Indians, Vande Mataram!

(Follow Saurabh Saksena on Twitter at indianalltheway)