It is identity or integrity?

Recently there are two divergent views on religion and nationality quoted by three prominent international Indians, representing Bollywood.

Shabna Azmi who is familiar for her social consciousness made a rebel view on not being accommodated with in Mumbai since she and her husband Javed Akhtar are Muslims.   

However, Naseeruddin Shah who contested again such statements and had clarified that he never faced any discrimination for being a Muslim in his entire life in Mumbai. He has even clarified that he shared with several people and having apartments on his own.  

At the same time he has not refused the very existence of the problem, but suggested to nurse less the persecution problem. He even went further to explain that everyone is discriminated when such occasions arise with and even Hindus are too included in the list.  

Shabana last week exploded that Muslims in India are treated like second class citizens since she can’t get a house in Mumbai and also a case similar to Saif Ali Khan. 

Interestingly in another development actor Amitabh Bacchan who was touring in France recently had found out that a restaurant named after Gandhiji.

In addition he also felt good hospitality of the French unlike earlier periods by their bad temperament towards tourists and visitors.

Amitabh even says there is certain strength in identity of India or being identified with India. People accept greatly when one mention about nationality.  

Now it can be understood why the restaurant is named after Gandhiji. Names of Gandhi and India have immense acceptance and value across the globe. However, it is contradictory with Shabana’s statement denying existence of Gandhian principle of Harmony and Secularism in Mumbai. 

The recent Hindi film of Munnabhai series was well received across the society including Mumbai is another example could be put against those perceptions.

It can be remembered that even Naseer experienced a disappointment when being denied with the title role in Attenborough’s ‘Gandhi.’ The reason behind it cited was that he lost the chance because he is a Muslim and majority of Indians will not accept his cast.    

He did the role after more than 15 years in a play and later on screen with Kamal Hassan’s ‘Hey Ram’ and acclaimed well, too.