By now almost everyone and his or her poodle have had their say on Rani Padmavati, Freedom of Expression (FoE) or utter lack of it in contemporary India, and hurt pride of the Rajput community. In the unravelling of the filmy plot, the really significant issues have been totally lost sight of. It is imperative to underline at the outset that the controversy has been fuelled and kept alive by a media that dare not focus on the mess created by ill-advised economic policies.
It may have temporarily succeeded in diverting our attention from lack of progress in promised job creation, improvement in infrastructure and deteriorating law and order but has ended up exploding many a myth about the Rule of Law and the nature of Indian democracy seven decades after Independence.
Those baying for the blood of the producer, director and actors in the film have been allowed a free run by those responsible for maintaining law and order. Under no circumstances can threats to public peace and incitement to crime be condoned in the name of FoE. It’s grossly unfair to suggest that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has brought the troubles upon himself by not being careful or giving out mixed signals from the days vandals had assaulted him during outdoor shooting in Rajasthan. It is surprising that even Prasoon Joshi, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) head, has blamed the producer-director for the delay in obtaining necessary clearances. We don’t know if procedural lapses were pointed out and the applicants informed/advised to rectify lacunae.
CBI may have famously been described as a ‘caged parrot’, but ever since the reign of Pahlaj Nihalani, the censor board has recalled other curious avians—ostritch, dodo, wannabe phoenix, singing canaries, aged eagle spreading its wounded wings. But who is bothered about the CBFC and even the courts when explosive ‘hurt pride’ of a once powerful caste/community is invoved?
From majestic ‘royals’—to be correct , ex-rulers of princely states whose titles and privileges were abolished almost half a century ago by Indira Gandhi that ‘autocratic democrat’ whose birth centenary is being celebrated—to hyena-like ruffians, professional rabble rousers prowling around for prey hunting in packs and spiritual gurus clad in white or ochre have jumped into the fray to muddy waters more.
Two things need to be clearly understood. First, there is nothing like causing hurt to the pride or sentiments, offence to an individual or a group that is listed as a crime in the Indian Penal Code. Even if one wishes to elastically stretch the interpretation of the letter of the existing laws to breaking point, it doesn’t mean that anyone can usurp the power to ‘punish’ the guilty or issue threats. Then, myths, legends and folklore can’t be allowed to be confused with history. Mythical memories are as much a part of our shared heritage as historical artifacts. No one can be allowed to assert sole proprietorial rights of custodianship or its interpretation. What the Padmavati affair has disgracefully exposed is our shared parochial prejudices and essentially irrational feudal mindset. Sadly, political leaders on both sides have lacked the courage to speak up for fundamental rights of the citizen. The Right to Life is threatened as much by the vigilantes as the FoE and let us please stop prefixing ‘artistic’ before it. Relevant Articles of the Constitution make the reasonable restrictions on FoE and exceptions (scientfic, artistic, educational etc) to these amply clear. There is absolutely no role or space for self- styled mediators and peacemakers.
This is a real crisis of credibility both for the executive and the judiciary. Mockery has been made of the concept of ‘separation of powers’ with both passing the buck to the other. This isn’t just the case of ‘distorted’ depiction of a historical character but raises fundamental and disturbing questions about whether self-styled ‘religious’ beliefs and blind primordial loyalties to caste can claim extra-legal protection and private enforcement of law. If this tendency isn’t curbed at once it can only lead to anarchy. Similarly, no individual or a group of ideologically prejudiced ‘scholars’ become arbiters of what comprises our ‘swadeshi’ culture. This applies as much to goraksha and Ram Temple as to deliberate erosion of the liberal, humane Islam on the subcontinent enriched by the Sufi mystisism that enriched the social reformist Bhakti Movement in 15-16th century.
Language and sectarian electoral politics have played havoc in recent years. It’s time we resisted being held hostage to what is euphemistically referred to as ‘identity politics’. The latest ‘Siege of Chittor’ unravelling before our eyes has the potential to end in no less a devastating conflagration than any in medieval past. We do owe a debt to Rani Padmavati for ringing the shrill alarm bells.
Pushpesh Pant
Former professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University
pushpeshpant@gmail.com