It has been more than a year since the Modi sarkar took over the reins of the country. But we are not sure if we will ever see acche din during this lifetime. After the numerous bans and several cases of people speaking against religious intolerance, people are being killed, lynched, and this is seriously scaring us and everyone around. Is the common man safe anymore? Let me rephrase, is the common Muslim, Christian or any other minority safe anymore? So many people have come forward and spoken about it and here are some of them.
“These horrific murders are only a symptom of a deeper malaise. Life is hell for the living too. Whole populations – millions of Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims and Christians – are being forced to live in terror, unsure of when and from where the assault will come.”
Arundhati Roy, Writer
“For days I’ve been watching our brilliant writers, filmmakers, historians, and scientists returning their prestigious awards in protest of the growing intolerance in India since I do not have any awards I looked around to see what the government had given me that I could give up in their support. For days I looked. It took me a week, but I finally found the one thing that the government had given me that I could give up. The Aadhar Card! The time has come to question and demand your right.”
Sapna Bhavnani, Hairstylist, Activist
“Religious intolerance, or intolerance of any kind, is the worst thing and will take us to the dark ages…nobody has more right to live in this country than me, and I am not going to leave. So shut up.”
Shahrukh Khan, Bollywood Actor
“Those protesting have deployed their visibility – and credibility – to articulate the growing anxiety of a vast number of Indians, those who may remain less visible but are no less perturbed at what is going on around them.”
Sanjay Kak, Filmmaker
“What has crept into Indian life now is a degree of thuggish violence which is new. And it seems to be given permission by the silence of official bodies, the silence of the Sahitya Akademi … by the silence of the prime minister’s office.”
Salman Rushdie, Author
“Anything that is intolerant or hearsay that is said without correct evidence is completely unacceptable. People are just saying anything and spouting things out in the name of religion, caste and creed. It is really disgusting.”
Sonam Kapoor, Bollywood actress
“If I had the national award, I would have returned it. It is a peaceful way of saying things, expressing things. I support them.”
Zoya Akhtar, Filmmaker
Image courtesy: BCCL
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