Hindu Vivek Kendra
A RESOURCE CENTER FOR THE PROMOTION OF HINDUTVA
   
 
 
«« Back
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.
    



Back                          Top

«« Back
 
 
 
  Search Articles
 
  Special Annoucements