Engaging Relationships Across South Asia: Attracting the Residents of South Asia, by Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay
In the world of cinema, the film Sardar Ji 3, boasting a cross-border cast, has been making waves, shattering box office records not only in India but also abroad and in Pakistan. The film's success serves as a reminder of the shared cultural heritage that binds the two nations, despite the persistent hostility that has marked their relationship since the partition in 1947.
However, this engagement between the people of India and Pakistan has not always been smooth sailing. In the mid-1990s, during a period of significant communal tension in India, a Pakistani poet named Fahmida Riaz wrote a poem titled "Tum bilkul hum jaise nikle" (You have become just like us), which mocked Indians for turning out just like Pakistanis, steeped in religious bigotry. Riaz's strong critique of communalism and political developments during this highly sensitive period in India's history was likely seen by some as over-reactive within the complex and polarized socio-political context of the mid-1990s.
This label of "over-reactive" likely stems from perceptions that her strong critique was too intense or alarmist, particularly by those who believed in moderation or a more conciliatory approach during a volatile period. Fahmida Riaz, known for her progressive, bold, and critical voice, often addressed social and political issues, including communalism and religious intolerance.
In the political sphere, the BJP, India's ruling party since 2014, has been crafting its foreign policy with an eye on harnessing its electoral constituency. The party's electoral consolidation continues regardless of the government's deliveries and performance, through advocating Hindu majoritarian politics. As a result, the government has been cutting down on people-to-people ties and targeting Indians who maintain any form of contact with Pakistani or other South Asian nations' achievers or public personalities.
One such instance occurred when Neeraj Chopra, the Indian javelin thrower, was targeted for inviting Arshad Nadeem, his Pakistani counterpart, despite the two being great friends and arch-rivals. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and the government's efforts to maintain a hardline stance towards Pakistan.
Despite these challenges, there have been moments of cultural engagement between the two nations. During a bilateral summit meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1997, cooks were flown in from Lahore to facilitate cultural engagement between the two countries. Such instances serve as a testament to the potential for people-to-people ties to bridge the gulf between the nations and foster a more amicable relationship.
The film Abir Gulaal, another cross-border production, has faced similar challenges in India, with some sections of the Indian film community demanding that producers stop working with Diljit Dosanjh, one of India's most popular music and film icons.
As the world watches the dynamic between India and Pakistan, it is clear that the relationship between the two nations remains complex, with moments of cultural engagement interspersed with periods of hostility and tension. The ongoing success of films like Sardar Ji 3 offers a glimmer of hope, demonstrating the potential for shared cultural experiences to transcend political boundaries and foster understanding between the two nations.
For more insights on India's political landscape and the Ram Mandir project, be sure to check out Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay's latest book, The Demolition, The Verdict and The Temple: The Definitive Book on the Ram Mandir Project. You can follow Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay on Twitter at @NilanjanUdwin.
In the realm of home-and-garden and lifestyle, it is essential to cultivate understanding and tolerance for others, even if the political landscape may be fraught with tension, as seen in the relationship between India and Pakistan. For instance, moments like inviting Pakistani achievers for personal meetings or collaborating on cross-border productions in the film industry can serve as catalysts for fostering relationships between individuals, ultimately bridging political gaps.
In the larger context of general-news, the state of relationships between nations often reflects the respective societies' values and beliefs. This is particularly true for India, where political developments, such as the ruling BJP advocating for Hindu majoritarian politics, can impact the way individuals interact with their counterparts from neighboring countries like Pakistan, creating a need for greater dialogue to promote harmony and shared cultural heritage.
