archive: Return a symbol of betrayal
Return a symbol of betrayal
Rajkumar Leishemba
The Pioneer
July 13, 1999
Title: Return a symbol of betrayal
Author: Rajkumar Leishemba
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: July 13, 1999
It was a moment of pride for most Indians when the veteran Hindi film
actor Dilip Kumar was conferred Nishan-e-Pakistan, that country's
highest civilian award, for his contribution towards improvement of
India-Pakistan relations. However, ever since, much water has flowed
down the Ganges as well as the Indus, and the ties between the two
countries have taken numerous twists and turns. The Kargil conflict
followed the Lahore declaration. Today, relations between the two
countries have reached rock bottom. Hundreds of Indian soldiers have
been killed in a border "war-like" situation because Pakistan, far
from honouring the Indian offer of its hand in friendship, has thought
it fit to dishonour the declaration and send in its army and
mercenaries to wrest Kashmir.
One of the results of this war has been thespian Dilip Kumar coming
into the eye of a storm, with some people asking him to return
Nishaan-e-Pakistan. Not surprisingly, the call first came from Shiv
Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray, followed quite unexpectedly by a
section of the Congress and Mr Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress
Party (NCP). Unfortunately, instead of treating the issue on merit and
viewing it rationally, just because the call has come from a known
polemicist like Mr Thackeray, it has been termed as an attempt by
jingoist and extremist people to set a new benchmark of patriotism,
apart from doubting the nationalism of the great actor.
Ever since the first shot was fired at Kargil, India has lost more
than 320 soldiers. For what? Because the country which honoured Dilip
Kumar with its highest civilian award saw it fit to intrude in to our
territory. Those were unsung heroes about whom we came to know only
after they had made their supreme sacrifices. As for Dilip Kumar, we
have seen him in various roles, be it in Naya Daur or in Saudagar, Jis
Mera Gaon... or Ram Aur Shyam, and admired him. Just like us, these
soldiers must have worshipped him as their matinee idol, pasting his
pictures on their trunks and suitcases. While going to the front, they
might have even taken inspiration from his role in Shakti, in which he
shoots his own son while performing his duty. Now, it is for the actor
to transcend from reel life to the real life and do his bit.
It is agreed that Dilip Kumar's returning of the award will not bring
back the husbands of young widows or sons of grieving mothers. But,
what would be the plight of the nation if all Indians were to think
that since their singular monetary contribution to the soldiers' fund
was not going to make a difference, there was really no need to make
it? Just because culture and social relations are above politics,
should we allow our country to be run over by intruders? As a public
figure, is the actor not supposed to show solidarity with soldiers
sacrificing their lives for the country?
This is not to doubt the patriotism of the thespian. However,
returning Nishaan-e-Pakistan at such a juncture would reveal that
India stands as one in a time of national crisis. The very reasons for
which Dilip Kumar got the award have ceased to exist today. In the
present context, it is extremely difficult to imagine an Indian seeing
eye-to-eye with a Pakistani. Here, what should be kept in mind is that
India did not start the conflict; it was Pakistan. If the actor wants,
he can humbly and politely, as a mark of protest, return the award,
saying friends do not betray each other.
When young Indian soldiers, even as young as 21, have sacrificed their
lives, the legendary thespian should not have any second thoughts in
giving up the award. A little gesture like this on his part can lift
the morale of our soldiers at the front beyond imagination. By
renouncing the award, the actor will not lose anything but will ascend
to greater heights in the eyes of every Indian. It will also send a
loud and clear message across the border that at in these trying
times, all Indians are one.
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