Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah is one of the most versatile and talented actors in Bollywood. He is also included in the list of actors who have a very thoughtful opinion. The actor, who made headlines by playing the role of ‘Badshah Akbar’ in ‘Taj: Divided by Blood’, expressed his views on hate speech. He called the silence of the BJP government and Prime Minister Modi tacit consent on this issue.
In an interview with journalist Karan Thapar for The Wire news portal, Shah said: “The government’s silence on this issue is disconcerting and clearly a sign of tacit approval… This (hate spew) has always been there.” . embryonic, it has always been waiting to blossom, and finally it is. Referring to the events of his childhood, the actor said: “It’s all come together and blew up and politically. The system has used it very wisely and intelligently for his benefit.”
During this, when Shah was asked if he considers Modi and his government directly responsible for the widespread bigotry in general and hate speech in particular. On this, the actor said without naming Home Secretary Amit Shah: “When we have Union ministers talking like street thugs, ‘we’ll hang them upside down’.” This kind of language is absolutely shocking. I don’t think political dialogue in this country has ever been less than it is now. I don’t take these hysterical statements about genocide and ‘killing Muslims on the spot’ seriously.”
The actor said: “The sad thing is that such things are not investigated. If you try to talk about peace and harmony like Harsh Mander or Teesta Setalvad or seek justice, you get prosecuted, you talk about hate, you talk about violence and you’re congratulated and decked out.
Responding to a question about the Prime Minister’s role in the hate speech issue, Naseeruddin Shah said: “Although he himself has used these epithets, including ‘you can recognize rioters by their clothes’ etc. But he has never done so. “. He issued a direct threat and that’s very smart of him because he wants to be seen as a moderate, but still he’s a wink, a wink, a nudge that he has.”
Naseer further said, “I think by keeping silent he… has encouraged people who have never been sentenced to make absurd and ridiculous speeches… It is his job to protect us all, no matter what religion we belong to.”
Addressing Prime Minister Modi, Shah further said: “The way he has created his own image, he is to be commended… and he is not alone.” He has brought an army with him who all speak the same language and they all speak a more vicious language than he does. He can pose as the good guy for sure. The man who meditates in a cave, the man who does no harm to anyone, the man who speaks of everyone’s development and everyone’s effort. But it doesn’t mean a word.”