Narmada Dam Project: (Fanaa)tic Political Agendas

I too am with Aamir Khan. Am no diehard fan of his but i defend his right to register his protest. whatever it be. usually i dont watch bollywood stuff, but i will make it a point to go and see fanaa. why are senior bjp leaders so quiet? what is india's future statsman rahul gandhi so silent? why does amitabh bachchan, never embarassed of dancing to the tunes of mulayam singh yadav, not uttering anything to come to the aid of his fellow actor? where is democracy? can arundhati be right when she said last sunday that india do not have democracy?

I too am with Aamir Khan. Am no diehard fan of the actor but i defend his right to register his protest. whatever it be. usually i don't watch bollywood stuff, but i will make it a point to go and see fanaa.

by the way, why are senior bjp leaders so quiet? why, oh why, is india's future statsman rahul gandhi so silent? why does amitabh bachchan, never embarassed of dancing to the tunes of mulayam singh yadav, not uttering a single to come to the aid of his fellow actor?

hey, where is democracy? can arundhati be right when she said that india does not have democracy?

Those who oppose the Narmada dam oppose the right of 100 million people in Gujarat , MP and Rajasthan to gain access to their basic rights - water and electricity. I hope that is clear.

Support for this NBA anti-dam gang comes mostly from people living in Delhi or Mumbai. Imagine Delhi or Mumbai going without water and electricity for even 3 days .....then you will understand why people of Gujarat are so angry and even hateful towards those who oppose the dam.

Raj - Why is that all the protests carried out in the state of Gujrat are being organised by the BJP government alone? Why are there no agitation from the local people? Why the multiplex committee in Gujrat, not agreeing to screen the movie....cause they are scared of the voilence thrown upon them by the local BJP goons?

People have the RIGHT to support or oppose the Narmada dam project...and Aamir had done excatly that.

Just cause you are in support of the project, doesn't mean that I will sue or threaten you...simply cause I dont like your opinion.

I am happy that our celebrities have started showing interested in 'real world' stuff. But isn't it a tragedy of sorts that it is only a famous face can bring in the spotlight and give a protest a new lease of life? Aamir entering the issue has given it a boost on the arm for sure but shouldn't everyone concentrate on the problem at hand rather than the 'star' and his stance?

If theres some thing contraband about a product, that product will sell more, thats one aspect of Fanaa being banned in Gujarat. Both the opposers and promoters are hedging their risks by doing what they are doing, public decides whether the Bears were right or the Bulls were. Zindagi Ek Khel hein Jahanpanah, Aur hum sab Rang Manch ke Katputli hein.....

Sakshi, youve hit the nail on the head by pointing out the many flaws in Indian democracy, although I think asserting that there is no democracy is taking an extreme view.

Here are the points where I find myself disagreeing with you:-

1) Why is that all the protests carried out in the state of Gujrat are being organised by the BJP government alone?

Thats incorrect, Please check http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?action=fullnews&id=63959

The state congress party is supporting the ban.
Even if its only the BJP wallas, are they not citizens and do they not have a right to protest ?
I think support for the narmada dam is pretty widespread in Gujarat, and itll be a mistake to discount these protests as some hooliganism engineered by politicians.

2) If Amir has a right to voice his opinions, dont others have a right to say, boycott his movies, the products he sponsors etc ? The means that they adopt for doing this should be non-violent ofcourse !

Sudeep - Thanks for the support...even though is partly.

1. Agree (some) Congress members are supporting the ban, but none of their leaders have taken a stand on it nationally. Even within the BJP party, there are many who think that the approach taken by their party towards banning and forcing an apology out of Aamir Khan is wrong.

2. Very few people in Gujrat are actually in agreement with the political parties. If you have seen the daily new channels, people voting and opinion in Gujrat mostly side Aamir.

3. Now you talking the same way Shatrughan Singhna did yesterday. Agree they BJP has a right to protest, but come on even you know they are taking it much far. Burning posters, banning his film, threating him, forcing an apology out of him....this is certianly not voicing an opinion.

>> 1. Agree (some) Congress members are supporting the ban, but none of their leaders have taken a stand on it nationally. Even within the BJP party, there are many who think that the approach taken by their party towards banning and forcing an apology out of Aamir Khan is wrong.

They are not because its not their goat thats being snatched. If you are talking about Gujrati sentiments, then the stand of Congress-Gujarat is pretty indicative of what way the wind is blowing in that state. Bottomline - The demonstrations are not politically created, they reflect a real public opinion of disgust with Amir for what he said.

>> 2. Very few people in Gujrat are actually in agreement with the political parties. If you have seen the daily new channels, people voting and opinion in Gujrat mostly side Aamir.

Hmm.. Tail wagging the Dog perhaps ? Was there a referendum conducted ? Was there a Gujarat specific opinion poll ? And you can not be so bholee-bhali to think that an RajdeepTV reporter is going to show a person on TV voicing an anti Amir, pro BJP opinion.

>> 3. Now you talking the same way Shatrughan Singhna did yesterday. Agree they BJP has a right to protest, but come on even you know they are taking it much far. Burning posters, banning his film, threating him, forcing an apology out of him....this is certianly not voicing an opinion.

Violence I disagree with, but like it or not, these are the ways modern India protests. Yeh to ab news/blog worthy item bhi nahi hona chhaiye. A Lathi on someones arse, burning stuff, acid filled bulbs, stone pelting.. so much more satisfying than pretty much anything else.

Honestly, some days I feel like picking up a big danda myself.

Am totally with Aamir. Just to clarify, Aamir isn't agianst the dam being built. His stance was that the affected people should be given proper rehabilitation before the project goes ahead. He has taken humanitarian stance & the BJP is gunning for him. Rumors are that Fanaa will not be released in Gujarat because of protests and riots.
On an aside, if slum dwellers in Bombay are entitled to SRA flats worth 10-15lakhs for illegally setlling on open spaces, shouldn't those displaced by the Dam be entitled to some kind of rehabilitation in terms of space(land) and money (relocation costs)

reproducing a pioneer edit page here (OK OK I know its a BJP paper, but how about a view from the other side :-)

--------------

Grow up, Aamir

The Pioneer Edit Desk

Life's not just Fanaa and games ---- It's quite astonishing what a deliberately obfuscatory media and liberal doses of Left propaganda can do to confuse an issue and spread disinformation. In recent days, the film Fanaa has been the subject of two controversies. First, multiplex owners in Gujarat, taking offence to Aamir Khan's statements against the Narmada project and actively encouraged by sections of the BJP, decided to boycott the film. Second - and completely unrelated to the Gujarat issue - multiplex owners across India threatened to boycott Fanaa over a payment dispute with its distribution company. It took particularly perverse minds to conflate the two issues and present these as a continuum. In short, a local problem was sought to be put forward as a nationwide political agitation. That aside, the term "ban" was bandied about. What is happening to Fanaa in Gujarat - or in one unfortunate hall in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh - is not a ban. A ban is a Government imposed prohibition, such as the one imposed on The Da Vinci Code by Congress Governments in Punjab and Goa. Gujarat is seeing a mix of public anger - sentiments on Narmada run high in the State - admittedly provoked by hotheads in the ruling party, without necessarily the concurrence of the Government. While this situation is regrettable, it must be realised that it is not unprecedented in India. Agitationists have the right to demand a boycott, even if the Government has no right - or little right - to actually ban films. This is as true for a protest against City of Joy in Communist Bengal as against Aamir Khan in Gujarat.

Having said that, Aamir Khan's petulance, particularly his cussedness at a Press conference in Mumbai two days ago, calls for comment. He has to make up his mind: Is he an apolitical movie star, a spoilt brat or a public intellectual? He will be judged by the standards he accords himself. In a celebrated interview recently, Aamir Khan said he didn't trust the media and its tabloidisation; he no longer believed what it printed. Fair enough. Yet, when he jumped into the Narmada imbroglio and presented himself as Medha Patkar's newest dilettante champion, he said he had heard and read about the Narmada "issue" and the alleged plight of oustees from the newspapers! When this apparent paradox is pointed out to him, Aamir Khan gets hysterical. He attacks the BJP, accuses it of not being democratic, cites his creative freedom and right to instinctively advocate any cause. Yet he is not ready for a rigorous and hard-headed debate on the Narmada project and the rehabilitation package. He only resorts to homilies like "farmers must have land". He only promises to explain his endorsement of a cola giant - a company charged by his eco-freak friends of bio-degradation - after "one or two months". It's pathetic: When the babalog take up a cause, they soon think they are the cause. That delusion has gripped Aamir Khan.

Sakshi - if your 'opinion' is a simple matter of wanting to deprive me of A. Water and B. Electricity , then you oppose my right to exist. This is what people of Gujarat think of those opposing the dam. The BJP government there is only the elected representative of the people , and reflects their aspirations.

Raj - You talk about referendum conducted or a Gujarat specific opinion poll, well I can say the same ! Has there any been conducted which clearly indicates Gujrat's anguish against the actor. No! And if you have been watching the news you will realise that the MSN trying to hold on to a neutral balance...simply cause they dont wanna upset either of the party concerned.

The bottom line here is NOT about who is right or wrong...its about a man who is being punished by the certain people...for voicing his opinion.

First the multiplexes banned the movie stating they were afraid of voilence carried out by the concerned party...then they changed their stand to it being their own decision. But everyone knows that they back-tracked their statment cause of the pressure from BJP.

Raj - In the end you say this "if your 'opinion' is a simple matter of wanting to deprive me of A. Water and B. Electricity , then you oppose my right to exist". Thats Aamir's point excatly.

If your opinion is a simple matter of wanting to deprive the (dam effected) people of A. right to their own land and B. Their livelihood, then you oppose their right to exist.

For the benefit of many...you are agree to ruin the lives of few...when did this become a justified attitude?

Sudeep - You answered your own question. Poineer is what BJP wants us to hear.

@Raj - Year 2006, it would be worthwhile reading this 2001 article when Gujarat Earthquake happened. He is the same person whose support/money was taken for the effected people of Gujarat. How easily people can forget. I dont' know about you, but he has definitely contributed more than I had done or will ever be able to do so. (Its not the scarcity of money, but its the scarcity of guts that stops one to part away from hard-earned money :)

Read the whole article, and you would know how this person thinks. Very different from all the other celebrities who don't give damn to whats happening in the nation.

Yes Sakshi - and you oppose the right of 100 million people to exist , live and prosper for the sake of your pet 40,000.

Besides - its not as though the 40,000 have not been well looked after. Rehabitation has been adequete in most part , though not perfect. Inspite of great roadblocks set up by the 'human rights activists' belonging to the NBA. I read in India Today about how NBA activists demolished a health care facility set up the the government to help the displaced. They also distribute messages warning government officials of 'dire consequences' if they attempt to rehabilitate the people or even visit the villages.

We are dealing with a double faced villain here. One who threatens to fasts onto death protesting lack of rehabilitation of the poor people and yet at the same time unleashes his/her goondas to prevent the rehabilitation from taking place.

What is the ultimate goal of this creature ? Stunt development at every level. Hold India back at every level. Oppose every big infrastructure project or a industrial plant. Reduce all Indians to a state of perpetual poverty , take away all hope , demolish any productive economic activity - and set the stage for a 'people's revolution'. Called Operation Pol-Pot.

Too much importance is given to the Aamir Khan character. He is just a naachne-gaane wala aadmi.

BJP are idiots to ban his movies - which is always a bad move because it will only get him more publicity. Worked well for the Da Vinci Code.

But please - donating some money to Gujarat earthquake victims does not make it acceptable to support forces like the NBA , an anarchist gang - a aprt of the worldwide/nationwide leftist movement whose main aim I have described in my post above. Operation Pol-Pot.

Oh - I am so sorry ,

the last two posts were written by me - Raj.

It was addressed to Sakshi and Subhan , and by mistake I wrote their names in the 'name' block.

@Raj - You say "Too much importance is given to the Aamir Khan character. He is just a naachne-gaane wala aadmi."

At least he has a very strong identity Raj and a huge fan base. What about you?

I can't understand what point you are making by denouncing his humanitarian efforts just because he is from the entertaintment industry.

You seems to be watching lots of Hollywood movies or reading anti-socialism novels. (your Pol-Pot remark, which any person living in India would agree is a figment of your imagination)

Remove the NeoCon glasses and see that the world doesn't support your "Prosperity at the expense of weak" policy. (which you hve commented about in earlier comments)

Aamir Khan has never opposed the construction of the dam - half of the posts above have arguments based purely on ignorance. Why are we making it a dam vs rehabilitation fight when its only about the right to voice one's opinion, whether right or not? I am sure tens of posts following this will continue to educate us about how important the construction of the dam is for the gujarati people...

Not showing his films in the multiplexes is not exercising a democratic right because it involves more people than those who are behind such a move. Take the signatures of every person living in Gujarat and if none of them wants to see the film, then no problems, don't show the film. As long as there is even a single person who wants to see the film, a set of people cannot decide that he shouldn't.

Take this: how about Aamir not agreeing to the opinion of Mr. Modi and hence 'banning' him, his family, friends and relatives from watching any of his/his colleagues' films? Is that democratic? Or even ethical?

Sami - Thats exactly what I have been trying to convey here. Everybody has a right to their views, if you don't agree with them..that is fine too. BJP party could have used a more civilized manner to put their point across but I guess the recent trends of burning articles, enforcing un-necessary bans, etc...are some-what favorite with our political system.

Raj - You write, "you oppose the right of 100 million people to exist , live and prosper for the sake of your pet 40,000". Its really a pity that you think this way. For crying out loud...they are people to, they are citizens of our country. Why does it pain in your gut, if others wanna help them to lead a decent life? Why such in-difference in attitude towards people who are less-privileged?

Once again I emphasis, 'Everyone has a right to Choose'.

Right to choose

Abla or Ghosts
Abla or Ghosts
Abla or Ghosts

Sakshi - democracy is about numbers. 100 million people collectively have greater rights than 40,000. One cannot deprive 100 million people of their right to water and electricity because one wants to keep 40,000 in a state of tribal bliss.

I am sure many villages were uprooted to build dams so that water could be brought to Delhi , Mumbai and Bangalore...thats just the way it is.

Also - as I said , it is a lie that rehab of 40,000 has not been done. Fact is , it is being done inspite of great opposition from NBA and its assorted anarchist gangs.

And please - I dont need to read novels to be anti-socialism. Living in India is reason enough.The reason India is third world , the reason so many Indians are poor is because of 4 or 5 decades of socialism.

Even a slight moderation in socialism - which was what the (partial) economic reforms of 1991 was all about - has resulted in dramatic improvement in the standard of living of many hundred million Indians , as well as reduction of population below poverty line from 44% of India's population in 1990 to the present 25%.

You gotta be stupid or particularly hateful of India if you support socialism.

@Raj - I still did not got what is this 100 million figure you keep harping on.

Your another claim of "reduction of population below poverty line from 44% of India's population in 1990 to the present 25%" is also exaggerated.

Here is the official figure from GoI Planning Commision:
1973-74 (54.9%)
1977-78 (51.3%)
1983 (44.5%)
1987-88 (38.9%)
1993-94 (36.0%)
1999-00 (26.0%)
As you can see there has been steady decline in poverty.
Surprisingly, there is no official survey after 2000. Maybe the "slight moderation in socialism" has totally eradicated it.

Subhan,
Poverty can never be eradicated (even in US 12% of the population can be considered to be poor) , but would have been minimal in India decades ago had India adopted the capitalist model instead. Indian economy grew at 2-3 % in the period between 1947-91 and at 5-6% post 1991. The country became twice as prodcutive economically even with the slighest roll back on socialism. But socialism persists and that is why India is condemned to third world status.

All govts have the right to expropriate land, and for a reason. If any squatter could stop the building of a highway by refusing to part with their parcel of land, then all kinds of development could be ground to a halt.

Sorry, but wider society has a reasonable need and a right to get hydroelectric power to meet basic needs. If the tribal squatters are so hell-bent on on their own selfish agenda while depriving wider society, then they should not be allowed to avail themselves of the benefits of interacting with wider society.

There are alternatives for Large Dams, with respect to both Water and Power. But these localised projects don't get any mention or research because, they don't have the same benefit in terms of kickbacks for the Politicians and policy makers. Large Dams are harmful for the eco-system in the long term, they have a history of making forests into deserts. Search the net for "Alternative Dam" and you will see a lot fo resources if you wanna research. Lets see articles on localisation, which gives empowerment to the beneficiers themselves.

I think this article sums up what I feel about this issue >>

Why give Aamir Modi's pedestal?

Swapan Dasgupta |

Since the 1990s, celebrities and activists associated with the Narmada Bachao Andolan have converted self-righteous abusiveness into a fine art.



Last week, to take a random but not atypical example, the voice of writer-NBA activist Arundhati Roy was heard across the airwaves telling indulgent Americans that "There is no real democracy in India". The grim reality of mass murders of the poor and the inspiring insurrection of the Maoists who are gaining control of district after district are not widely known because the "Indian mainstream (is) so servile" and beguiled by neo-liberal fantasies.

To be fair, Aamir Khan should not be equated with the indignant Booker Prize winner. Roy has an admirable way with words and has a definite political agenda. Aamir, on the other hand, is neither a Javed Akhtar nor is he as conceptually endowed as Roy. He is an attractive Bollywood star who has decided that it pays to combine a disarming smile with a loose public agenda. Yet, it is important to remember that Aamir cannot be equated with either a Shabana Azmi or Shatrughan Sinha-articulate representatives of the Left and Right. A man who endorses Coca Cola and simultaneously sups with Medha Patkar, a Luddite if there was one, is either remarkably versatile or just plain confused.

Maybe it is unfair to be so dismissive. What seems to drive Aamir is a profound hatred of Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. As someone influenced by his environment, he is merely mirroring a fashionable demonology -so fashionable that it led to the much-despised Bush Administration denying Modi a visa to visit the US. For the fashionably bigoted - and they are particularly preponderant in the "slavish" Indian media - the programmes of the Gujarat Government, like bringing water to the parched citizens of Kutch and widening the roads of congested Vadodara, reek of fascism. I have even heard a demented secularist likening the urban renewal programme of Vadodara to Hitler's construction of the Autobahn!

When it comes to Modi, anything goes. Modi may be the Gujarati icon and the man the Indian Right awaits, but you can't be a Modi admirer and be thin-skinned at the same time. That he defied treacherous wisdom and won Gujarat in 2002 was bad enough. The fashionable hatred for Modi has grown exponentially with his success in exposing the hollowness of the NBA campaign.

There was a time when an I-love-Modi pronouncement was an invitation for a fatwa of social ostracism. Today, the circle of Modi baiters is shrinking rapidly, and soon it will be confined to professional ambulance chasers, English TV anchors and friends of jihadis. It was revealing that when good sense compelled the Prime Minister to disregard the partisan advice of Saifuddin Soz on the rehabilitation issue, Medha Patkar's counter-offensive was to question Modi's secular credentials. Devoid of a worthwhile political plank, Modi's detractors have fallen back on the resurrection of Muslim angst.

Maybe Aamir's posturing on the "victims" of Sardar Sarovar dam and the displaced of Vadodara aren't so evolved. In any case, they have absolutely nothing to do with Fanaa, a run-of-the-mill Bollywood film with the usual spiel about a terrorist with a golden heart. Amit Thakkar, the alleged mastermind of the unofficial ban on Fanaa in Gujarat, has every right to be outraged by Aamir's views but to call for an apology is preposterous. Aamir's right to be ignorant and offensive is sacrosanct, as is Thakkar's right to not buy a ticket for Fanaa. But a "ban", which helped Aamir gloss over a trade dispute with multiplex owners, puts the BJP in Gujarat on par with the narrow-minded regimes in Nagaland, Punjab and Goa that have banned The Da Vinci Code. It certainly does no good to the image of the Gujarat Chief Minister. Predictably, he is being blamed for the puerile misadventures of the BJP's youth wing. By putting Aamir on par with the Chief Minister, you are actually knocking Modi off his pedestal.

There is hurt in the Gujarati Psyche and they do feel victimised .

Lot is made of Bext bakary victims not getting justice but no justice has been given to the Godhara victims and we have forgotten it .

There is a selctive logic being applied in gujarat
On Narmada Gujarat has done its workl on rehabilitations .It is Madhya Pradesh whichis lacking behind .Aamir should have taken that giovernmetn to task instead of Narendra Modi

All Narendra Modi showed that hunger strike can be done by both sides

Regardig banning of Pictures there is no ban escept that pressure is applied on the cinema theater not show the movies which is valid.

Those who gloated over Narendra Modi's denial of USA visa have no reason to complain when the gujarat political parties decide they do not want to have Fanaa in gujarat. They are mobilisers and pressure lobbies.

Media's selctive memory and selective logic through choice words and spin makes gujarat feel far more hurt and more amenabble to modi's rhetoric then if media had been balanced

Aamir has a point like you clearly point out in your post. He has a right to voice his opinion, and what he did should not have had any impact on the release of his movie.

But, if you step back and look at the broader trend, it is a bit worrying. This is not the first time a film has been banned...there was that movie by Sunny Deol that was banned, and a couple of others whose titles I cannot recollect.

The broader trend and this specific incident with Fanaa are a bit worrying...It is great to see that Aamir is doing the media rounds and sending a clear signal and message. It also helps that Yashraj Productions is the producer, and they have deep pockets.

Kamla

"Though Aamir Khan has expressed a desire to donate Rs 5 lakh to each of the chief ministers funds in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh - his wish may be unfulfilled at least as far as Gujarat is concerned.

Gujarat BPJ chief Vaju Vala told Sunday MiD DAY that there was no need for Aamir Khan's generosity. "If Aamir really wants to help someone then he can use the money in his own way," he says.

Like Vala, ex-BJP minister and Narmada Bachao Abhiyan chief Jaynarayan Vyas says, "Aamir should get two things straight in his head. Gujarat Government has finished all the work on relocation.

So if the money is specifically for rehabilitation then the money cannot be accepted anyway. In spite of this, if Aamir Khan really wants to help a family with rehabilitation then he needs to learn the cost to rehabilitate one family.

To set up a livelihood for a family the government needs an average of Rs 10 lakh. The amount that Aamir wants to give will help half a family at most."

He adds, "Aamir Khan needs to stop his herogiri. This herogiri works in films, not in real life."

BJP spokesperson in Gujarat, Purushotam Rupala, opposes this viewpoint.

He says, "If Aamir wants to give money to the fund then the money should be accepted a 100 per cent. But Aamir Khan needs to understand one thing, that you cannot give money specifically for one cause. If he understands this and still wants to give the money, then it should definitely be accepted."

Reacting to an Aamir Khan statement given in an earlier interview about the BJP being anti-democracy, Vala and Rupala have only one thing to say, "BJP doesn't need a certificate from someone like Aamir Khan."

Vyas adds, "Aamir has publicly said that everytime he has voted he has voted for Sunil Dutt.

From this statement it becomes clear where his political leanings lie. It doesn't make a difference to us what an individual like that says. Nor does it make any difference to BJP followers or to the people of Gujarat.""

http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2006/may/138216.htm

-----------------------

This clearly shows the real pathetic intentions of Aamir where his fame has gone to his head and he has no idea of what the reality is.

BJP government refusing his money has runied Aamir's intentions.

Instead of blaming BJP govt for their approach, look at aamir's gesture of offering a meagre 5lacs so that his movie can get realeased. Ha.
Clearly who needs the fame and publicity so that his movie can get realeased is out in the open. So much so for his beliefs and stand. Infront of his self seeking fame and stunts , all his statements regarding the dam is all a gimmick.

What is sad that real people like Medha Patkar who have actually helped goes unnoticed for a while, when people like Aamir come in to make cameo appearences just beofre the realease of his movie. What a coincidence!!!!!!!

thank u for the point regarding Times of India.

such facts should be continously documented by bloggers.
we should not let them get away with this.
all their crap shud b documented.

sakshi,
in the title of this post, it was supposed to be (Fanaa)tic right? a spelling mistake.

hey im not trying to criticize u at all. but check this out, just wanted to let u know. a strange phenomenon of which even u are a part now lol
http://www.sayoutloud.com/topic/34

Ajaye - Seems like the editors fixed the spelling mistake. Thanks for pointing it out.