Cricket blurring Line of Control for politicians?

India is a democratic country and everyone here has the right to say whatever he or she may feel on any topic or incident. This is what we were told in school and probably that’s what Shah Rukh Khan must have had in mind when he expressed his views on the non-inclusion of Pakistani cricketers in the third season of Indian Premiere League (IPL) . What he said found some support and more criticism in political circles.

What I inferred from the incident is that SRK's ‘free and fair’ opinion on the IPL episode gave a newmudda (issue) to the s(ti)inking Maharashtra politics. Even as some of the leaders of Hindu rightist Shiv Sena said it was not Shah Rukh Khan but the ruling Congress that was making the statements using its association with SRK, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) used it as an opportunity to attack Amitabh Bachchan for his association with Pakistani artists.

Shiv Saniks held protests infront of Mannat (The Baadshah’s abode in Mumbai) and vandalized posters of his film ‘My Name is Khan.’ Despite assurances by the Maharashtra police and ruling government to the film’s producer Karan Johar, some of the multiplexes had to shut down as the demonstrations started.

A mere statement by one of the most loved actors of this country made him a ‘traitor’ in the eyes of some political goons? And the handicap state government could not provide enough security? What public good does this serve? Can the film, which does not belong to an individual alone, be dragged into a dirty game of such low politics?

It makes me wonder what actually had Shah Rukh said and why didn’t it find any favour with the Shiv Sena and the likes of Bajrang Dal, Vishva Hindu Parishad. ''They are the champions, they are wonderful but somewhere down the line there is an issue and we can't deny it," Khan had told a TV new channel. "We are known to invite everyone. We should have. If there were any issues, they should have been put on board earlier. Everything can happen respectfully. Everyday we blame Pakistan, everyday Pakistan blames us. It is an issue.”

So how many of you feel that he made a mistake? Should he have known that besides being an artist who earns his bread in Shiv Sena's home turf, he's as vulnerable as any other man who speaks his heart, which may not be always liked by the roaring (mourning) tigers of Mumbai.

But as some media reports suggested, My Name Is Khan opened to full houses across the country. This only shows that any educated and sensible being on this earth would follow blindly whatever hard winged parties like these want them to do. These parties are just out for some cheap publicity at the cost of some film actors. The bigger the star, the bigger is the chance to make some news headlines.

What happened to Jodha Akbar, Lajja, Fanna, and the list goes on.... Why is the Election Commission not taking any action against such political parties? Why are these brain dead maggots left open to spill hatred on the streets of this country? These are the same parties who have earlier burned churches, vandalised properties, killed innocent men.

It's time now to stop making statements and do something about it. SRK tweeting a 'regret' after these paper tigers have had their say is not a solution. At least cinema, art and literature should be spared of this horror, generated by a handful of political goondas carrying Trishuls and weapons as if they alone can save this country from evils. Such weak attitude in tackling these mafias in the garb of political parties is only aggravating the problem.