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Hating Muslims is BJP's lifeline, says Mahesh Bhatt

Hating Muslims is BJP's lifeline, says Mahesh Bhatt

Lets not mince our words here, he added. He definitely didn't and neither did Javed Akhtar when he called Modi fascist.
Updated 17 Feb, 2020

Mehdi Hasan is known for calling a spade a spade.

So it made for an insightful discussion when the Al Jazeera presenter invited Javed Akhtar and Mahesh Bhatt on AJ Up Front to discuss Indian PM Narendra Modi's mainstreaming of a hard-line brand of Hindu nationalism and Bollywood's complicit silence.

The situation in India was never as dark as it is today, said Akhtar towards the beginning of the interview.

"The space for dissension is shrinking by the day. Today, there's hardly any television channel in India that openly criticises the present regime, it was not so six years ago," he went on to say.

Bhatt added, "The Muslims of my country and all other minorities have never felt more insecure; if people choose to turn their face away from this naked truth, it's their privilege but they do India a lot of harm when people are frightened to speak. There's palpable anxiety in the air."

Later on in the show, he said, "The winds of Islamophobia blew threw the world after 9/11 and I think the phobia is manufactured. I don't think the average Indian is so frightened of a Muslim. that fear has been crafted and structured. The media is working around the clock to create 'the other' to stay in power. To hate the Muslims is the lifeline of the BJP, lets not mince our words. There's institutional bias that's been there since the birth of the nation but now it is naked and the mask is off."

Is Modi a fascist? asks Hasan.

"Of course he is a fascist. Fascists do not have horns on their heads. Fascist is a thinking and this thinking that we are better than others and whatever problems we have is because of these people. The moment you hate people in wholesale, you are a fascist," said Akhtar.

When Hasan said that you could say most of Bollywood, with a notable few exceptions, is essentially Team Modi, Akhtar responded, "No, I won't say that but the fact is this is the proof that's society is scared. Do all these people agree with him, his philosophy, his ideology or what his party is doing? Do they think lynching is wonderful? No. And if they don't think that, then why are they not saying it? It's fear, it's purely fear."

Mehdi concluded the chat with questioning the two about what hope there is for India and Bhatt shared, "There's plurality in the DNA of India. I don't think you can reduce as nation as diverse as this to one narrative. If you try to impose just one narrative on this nation, it will revolt and I don't think any political party can do that in the long run."

You can watch the complete interview here.

Comments

Gaurav Feb 15, 2020 05:04pm
India gave modi a big majority again. So you mean whole india is fascist supporter? Better introspect javed akhtar.
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M. Saeed Feb 15, 2020 05:40pm
Is Modi a fascist? Can there be any doubt after his two recent actions of annulling Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and the inhuman Citizenship Act? he not only a top racist but also a Born Again Hitler, who is not only back\ but, back with a very strong vengeance.
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Safder Munir Nawaz Feb 15, 2020 05:53pm
Now saner people of INDIA must ponder over for directing a political attack on Modi and BJP since they have vilified the all history of India where every one had complete freedom to exercise their own way of life/ideology without exerting any hate on fellow citizen.Indians will have to revive back theirs erstwhile affinity.
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Babu Feb 15, 2020 05:53pm
It has reasons behind it. Mr Bhatt has made and seen many documentaries and films on the religious persecution subject. A new film Kashmir by Mr Waseem Rizvi is just coming in next month, see and than you will understand one of the reason,
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Ibrahim S Feb 15, 2020 05:55pm
I don’t worry too much. History has witness when Muslims get into trouble whenever they became hypocrites . But they always repent and cane out of despair. It’s just matter of time when we will be strong again and then we will answer ask serious question to oppressors. Trust me it won’t look on you unless you start behaving now.
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Jimmy Feb 15, 2020 06:15pm
Isn't this the same Javed Akhtar who was dissing Pakistan not so long ago. It seemed like he was appeasing BJP at the time. Wow.
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Anujit Feb 15, 2020 06:33pm
Honest and candid...hats off to Mahesh Bhatt saab and Javed ji
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speechless Feb 15, 2020 07:00pm
Waiting for Bhakts to brand them "Anti-nationals"
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ACEGItime Feb 15, 2020 08:31pm
Hating Hindus is Bhatt’s movies lifeline.
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K. Neeraja Feb 15, 2020 11:08pm
Javed Akhtar should settle down in Pakistan in case he is afraid of Modi and BJP. Modi's victory in 2019 Election has still not sunk in .
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Pathanoo Feb 16, 2020 02:25am
TRUE.
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BRR Feb 16, 2020 08:18am
These two will not even be a footnote in history, despite their empty noises.
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riz1 Feb 16, 2020 09:08am
It's time for all Indians to get together and just avoid getting tickets or supporting any of the work of Javed Akhtar, Farhan and Mahesh Bhatt. If they can parrot the Pakistani position that there is fascism at the top, they do not deserve any of our adulation. We will wait and watch.
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Tareen, A Feb 16, 2020 10:16am
This is the mentality in India that anyone who speaks against this abhorrent law should settle in Pakistan. This is their mindset and intellectual capacity. Shameful.
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Deepak Kumar Feb 16, 2020 10:30am
@K. Neeraja Please stop this nonsense. He is indian.
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Issak Feb 16, 2020 10:43am
Yes it's a well known fact about bjp and modi of their divisive agenda...but with people like Donald Trump in power who really cares?... The silent group of Indians are focused on putting food on the table ,they don't have the time nor patience to dwell on politics...and this vacuumis being used to promote hate towards Muslims...
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LAHORI KID Feb 16, 2020 10:47am
@K. Neeraja If Javaid Akhtar was afraid of Modi, he would not have answered the way he did. And why would he move to Pakistan and settle down there, he's a proud Indian, and the last time I checked, India is democratic country, in democracy, you have the freedom to speak. I can't make it any simpler than that.
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The lost soul Feb 16, 2020 10:54am
Both mahesh and Javed have no business to represent their thoughts as thought of india as a whole. In a democracy people’s judgement is ultimate.
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k p rao Feb 16, 2020 10:59am
@K. Neeraja And take Mahesh Bhat with him
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Shdhn Feb 16, 2020 11:08am
Neeraja, people like you spread hate, why should Javed settle down in Pakistan. India is his country and has every right to protect against this fascist Modi. This country belongs to all citizens and not just BJP. Why do you drag Pakistan into this?
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Dr. Habib A. Zuberi Feb 16, 2020 11:15am
@K. Neeraja when ever someone says something good and happens to be a Muslim, you recommend him to go to Pakistan? Where will you send such Hindus? There are plenty of Hindus who share these views or you just don't have the ability to understand beautiful life in a pluralistic society?
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Cris Dan Feb 16, 2020 11:36am
@K. Neeraja what a racist and a biased comment. It is because of biased bigots like you that rightists are flourishing in India and secularism is failing.
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Fuad Feb 16, 2020 11:40am
@K. Neeraja This is actually the attitude which is scaring the muslims in India. You did not offer the same to mahesh bhatt
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Sajjad Feb 16, 2020 01:06pm
@K. Neeraja - typical BJP Bakht response on a Pakistani news website. Try something on Modia please.
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Sajjad Feb 16, 2020 01:07pm
@K. Neeraja P.S : keep electing Modi, he is best for India ( and Pakistan too )
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mirror mirror Feb 16, 2020 01:15pm
@K. Neeraja And where should mahesh Bhatt go?
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mirza Feb 16, 2020 01:39pm
Hate as much you want but dont kill people because they are of different faith.
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Reader Feb 16, 2020 01:52pm
@K. Neeraja : Can't you see what these guys are trying to tell Indians ? India should not be represented by people like Modi. It is much bigger and better than his (Modi's) vision and thoughts. I am disappointed that people are not able to voice concern.
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Mark Feb 16, 2020 01:57pm
Some privileged pseudo seculars are definitely feeling the heat under Modi regime. Hopefully they will get well soon. The country has shown them their choice in 2019.
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Jimmy Feb 16, 2020 01:59pm
@K. Neeraja. He has made it quite clear that he despises Pakistan. And by your equation shoud Mahesh Bhatt go to Nepal.
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Islamabad Feb 16, 2020 02:24pm
@K. Neeraja Your comment is a prime example of the hate and "otherness" these two gents are talking about. Just because they say something you disagree with, they should leave the country and go live in Pakistan? Proves their point. Such myopia, such hatred. For shame. And I'll preempt your "clever" comeback turning this around on Pakistan. No dice; we are talking about Modi's facism here.
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Indian Feb 16, 2020 05:02pm
@K. Neeraja Why miss Mahesh Bhat?
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AZAM AKBAR Feb 16, 2020 05:06pm
@K. Neeraja Mr. K. Neeraja, Hitler and Mussolini were democratically elected and what they did against the human beings and humanity the whole world knows. Democracy also fails. Educate yourself.
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Raza Feb 16, 2020 06:43pm
@K. Neeraja Wow. The intolerance you expressed here is exactly, what he is pointing out. The world is one big community now, the delusional madness of nationalism is over. The people should work collectively, live in peace and think sustainability as common goal on earth. Otherwise, people in Poor part of world will die in suffocating plastic death from rising consumption culture.
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Gm badal Feb 17, 2020 01:03am
BJP's goon like behavior with Muslims is not any secret. If Muslims demand redressing their grievances, they are told to go Pakistan without caring them to be follower of Abul Kalam Azad.
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Bangbang Feb 17, 2020 05:39am
Trying to sell few books by stirring up controversy.
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Saira Feb 17, 2020 01:56pm
@K. Neeraja Thank you for illustrating the state of horror India has become. Muslims have been in India since 700 century. With 1300 years of history in the country mostly as rulers, they are integral part of India and will always be. If you think you can mess around with 250 million Indians, you are a fascist and fascism will tear India apart in small bites.
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M. Saeed Feb 17, 2020 02:20pm
@AZAM AKBAR , You are correct. Quote: "Democracy ranks among the gravest threats to individual rights and individual liberty in human history. "
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KANWAR Feb 17, 2020 04:42pm
BJP might or might hate Muslims but Indians do not hate Muslims, So it should be clear BJP is not INDIA, today BJP is in power but India is in a position to change this situation, BJP LOST state 70 % of INDIA.
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Desh Bandhu Chopra Feb 18, 2020 01:46am
@AZAM AKBAR Democracy is the most convenient garb for fascists of the 21st century. Fascist rulers' strategy is simple. Create an army of blind followers. Repeat a lie for a thousand times ti make it the truth.
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Kris Feb 18, 2020 08:53am
@K. Neeraja : Learn to disagree without being disagreeable. Respectful disagreement is fundamental to democracy. A country of 1.3 Billion people is not going to think alike on many issues.
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Ali Feb 18, 2020 01:24pm
@K. Neeraja ..Javed Akhtar is an indian why should he settle in Pakistan.... If you apply this formula then only hindu's will be left in whole of india... do you want this..??
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