Indian leader calls for end to divisive politics

(MENAFN- Arab News) RIYADH: Bollywood heartthrob Raj Babbar who shot to prominence as a noted actor is now a prominent Indian politician in the Congress party.
His marvelous acting in super hits like Nikah and Umrao Jaan earned him a special place among his millions of fans. Babbar entered politics by joining Janata Dal. He later moved to Samajwadi Party and finally to Congress.
In an interview with Arab News during his recent Riyadh visit Babbar dwelt on various issues in India ranging from growing intolerance; divisive politics and Bihar elections among others. He paid tribute to Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as one of the architects of modern India.
He said divisive politics has caused a lot of damage to India. 'Development and employment for all Indians especially Muslims in top administrative and police jobs will solve a lot of problems' said Babbar who thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for hosting about 2.9 million Indian expatriates who have been living and working in different parts of Saudi Arabia today.
He also spoke about the possibility of cooperation between the film makers of India and those working in the upcoming film industry of the Kingdom. During the interview; Parvez Hashmi a member of Indian Parliament; Suhail Ahmed president of Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA); and AMUOBA-Riyadh General Secretary Arshad Khan were also present.
Speaking about Sir Syed Babbar said he was an educationist par excellence and an architect of modern India who truly inspires us to strive for education empowerment and unity in diversity.
His Aligarh movement was open to all and the first graduate and post-graduate from the AMU were Hindus Ishwari Prasad and Vimal Prasad respectively he said.
He said Sir Syed deserved to be awarded Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Asked about conflicting opinions in the film fraternity on issues like intolerance he said that 'when the government works with certain hidden agendas defying the values we cherish as a secular nation there will definitely be disagreement and protest from various quarters.' That is what exactly happened after the incidents like murder of Akhlaque in Dadri near Delhi and assaults on writers as a result of which litterateurs film personalities and scientists started lodging their protests by returning their awards.
Referring to attacks on Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan he said that 'those reacting unnecessarily against SRK and Aamir are communally biased.'
"They forget that besides being pride of the nation due to their performances these two Khans belong to the families of freedom fighters" he said.
'Shah Nawaz Khan a major general in the Indian National Army (INA) led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was uncle of SRK while Aamir is from the family of Maulana Azad. Aamir makes us proud with Incredible India campaign and with his lesson-giving episodes in Satyamev Jaitey. Those questioning them should look into their characters they were absent during freedom struggle and supported the colonial British rule during the Quit India movement" Babbar said.
"The growing intolerance is a concern indeed for all of us but we must not forget that a handful of members from a community or a political party cannot be the representative of the whole Hindu community. We will continue to live together peacefully and as the result of Bihar assembly elections has revealed parties banking on communal votes were defeated. Those trying to polarize on religious basis have been rejected by the people of all religions" he added.
'So far as my party Congress is concerned we are trying to stop division of the society on religious basis but there are people in the other camp who are hell bent on inciting communal hatred as it suits their politics which is deplorable' he said. In fact the Indian National Congress which was formed in 1885 is one of the oldest political parties of the world that led the Indian movement for independence from Britain.
Asked about the possibility of cooperation between Indian film industry and fast-emerging Saudi film industry Babbar offered all support to Saudi production houses and those intending to work in films. In fact the Saudi Labor Ministry has reportedly allowed film production entrepreneurs to recruit personnel to kick-start the cinema industry in the Kingdom.
Asked about his plans about working in some movies or film production projects Babbar said 'I am still involved in doing movies as I starred in hits like Bodyguard Khiladi 786 Force Bullet Raja and I did Tevar this year also starring Arjun Kapoor Sonakshi Sinha and Manoj Bajpayee. Moreover I am working on my own production house to do movies and TV serials.' Babbar has acted in around 200 films so far.