This has been very disappointed week after a long time. Not because of Kites but because of other issue namely “Draw Muhammad campaign on Facebook”. Pakistan’s “ban on Facebook” received the aggressive condemnation from Indian media, as expected. Everyone was using key words “freedom of speech” to justify their stand on the debates running on News Channels. Reason behind Pakistan banning the Facebook was campaign “Draw Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)” started on facebook. When everyone blames Pakistan for over reacting, none of them raise the core issue. Core issue should have been “if it is OK to Murder someone’s sentiment on the name of “Freedom of speech” rather than “whether Pakistan did the right thing”. There are so many other things that Pakistan does which affects India. Those issues are more important to us, as Indians. Pakistan banning a website is not an issue of that importance (at least not from India’s prospective).
Coming back to real issue, First of all we, as mature adults, should understand all religions are not same. Because had they call been same, they would not have called the so different in implementation, concept of GOD etc. 1 thing permissible in one might be forbidden in another. It is ok to be different. Problem occurs when we start assuming them to be same. Painting a Goddess is not a big deal in Hinduism, Infact we grow up watching Mahabharata on Doordarshan. Forget about objections about that, it was matter of pride for Hindu Brothers. Hinduism has history of using Idol, Statue, portrait & other visual medium in faith. Similarly, portrait of Guru Nanak is found in most of the Sikh Homes. Church & Christians’ homes have Jesus’ Famous crucifix (Jesus nailed to cross). But it is totally forbidden in Islam to use any visual medium (Idol, Painting, Photo, statue, cartoon, movie etc) for ALLAH or Prophets (including Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)). Infact using any visuals for ALLAH or his messengers threatens the very base of Islam. You will not see a single visual anywhere in Islamic culture (be it place of worship, home or otherwise). Those who are ignorant or not aware about Islam might see this issue as tiny. But followers of Islam will know gravity of situation. One can realize that issues like “cloths person should wear” don’t attract that much attraction from Muslim World, because their gravity is not as strong as “drawing a cartoon of Prophet”. This issue threatens the very base of Islam, & its condemnation is not only overreaction by Muslims but a natural reaction considering the importance of this issues. I have never written about Fatwa being issued daily on “whether one can listen to music, watch a movie & blah blah” as those issues are very minor in magnitude when compared to cartoon issue.
If it is OK to paint, making statue or draw cartoons in one religion, does it mean other religion should follow the same? Liberalisation is when we respect & accept the different point of view from our own. We should stop seeing others from our point of view, instead try to understand the differences very well & live peacefully thereafter. I strongly believe that campaigns like this will further widen the gulf between faiths. It is not Liberalisation, it is exactly the opposite. I know society is changing with time but I am not sure about its direction (Is it Conservative to Liberalisation or other way?), I seriously doubt it is later.
No comments:
Post a Comment