I’m not a fan of the Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali. And I don’t think I’m musically inclined enough to tell the difference between a ghazal and a qawwali. But even then, I would love Ghulam Ali to perform in India. Only because he has fans here who would not be able to go to Pakistan. So the current cancellation of his concerts in Mumbai and Pune over protests from the Shiv Sena makes me sad.
Of all the regional parties in the country, I like Sena best. I’m a Maharashtrian and a Mumbaikar. I speak the language as well as the next man. And when he was alive and ruled and roared, I liked their charismatic supremo Balasaheb Thackeray a lot, and he liked me enough to share a glass of French wine and offer me a Cuban cigar at his residence. I have a healthy rapport with Uddhav Thackeray. And a friendship with Balasaheb’s grandson and Uddhav’s son, the new kid on the block Aditya Thackeray.
But what I clearly don’t have is an understanding of their politics. I don’t know how allowing Ghulam Ali to perform in the country will be an insult to our brave soldiers who died in wanton firing from across the border. Like I don’t get how digging up cricket pitches and pouring tar on them to prevent Pakistan from playing Test matches here will send a message across that border that we are not a nation to be meddled with.
Quite frankly, and I’m sorry to say this, as a nation – we suck. As a people – we’re losers. And as neighbors – we’re cowards. There are close to 130 crores of us. Yet we let a handful of rabid thought thugs who we mistakenly elected to power in the first place dictate our lives as if we are idiots who don’t know better. Now I am all for change. I favor reform. But only when they work for the people. Not because they are an extension of somebody’s muscle power.
But what happens to people when they come to power in India? Why do they become megalomaniacs? And for what do they want to reinvent the wheel when the speed and direction they are rolling it in is only taking us back to the Dark Ages? It’s a pity nobody here got the drift of “With great power comes great responsibility” from Spiderman.
To my mind, it’s easy to act tough and stop Pakistani musicians from performing and cricketers from playing here. They are entertainers and sportsmen, not fighters. It’s easy to send them packing. But I wish this same aggressiveness was shown on 26/11 when just ten young Pakistani terrorists humbled a proud Mumbai Police force of 50,000 and killed and plundered at will over three days while the world watched with horror and sympathy on TV at home.
The same patriots who are today stopping Ghulam Ali from coming here because the government is too gutless and spineless to take up the border killings with Pakistan could have risen up in arms on 26/11 too. We had an indecisive Chief Minister then. And an ineffective Police Commissioner too. They really fiddled while the city burned. But what had happened to us, the people? And our flag-waving leaders? Where was our fierce sense of pride?
There weren’t men enough in Mumbai’s population of 18.5 million to storm the Taj and Oberoi and Nariman House and free them from the deadly clutches of just four, two, and two Pakistani terrorists respectively? Come on, I don’t buy that. Like I wouldn’t buy a ticket for a Ghulam Ali concert if he was playing in Mumbai. But I wouldn’t do that because I don’t like his genre of music. And not because he’s a Pakistani.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him. In the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. In a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work, Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward.
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