The move is obviously to fool Hindus and to come in their good books, says a social media user
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Prominent filmmaker Kabir Khan, a relative of former President of India Zakir Hussain, has stirred controversy as he took a dip in the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj district.
Khan’s move, being a Muslim, to perform Hindu rituals at the holy site of Hindus has sparked discussions over his motives.
Kabir Khan is known for his work on iconic films like “Chak De! India” and “Bajrangi Bhaijaan.”
Bollywood actors, directors and other celebrities are making a beeline to be seen in the good books of the current dispensation. The participation of several Bollywood stars in the inauguration of the Ram temple last year also sparked a heated debate. Before that, several prominent actors including Shah Rukh Khan, Amir Khan and others had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event related to the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi in October 2019. Since then, several actors and celebrities have been in line with cozying to the current regime led by the Bharatiya Janata Part (BJP).
Kabir Khan had initially raised his voice against the present government over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and participated in the historic protests against the law in 2020. Now, his move shows that he wants to give up his dissent voices and wants to be seen as a supporter of Hindu nationalism.
His justification for participating and taking a dip in the Kumbh Mela shows that he has started espousing the agenda of Hindu nationalism. He claimed that the Kumbh Mela was not about Hindus and Muslims but it was about Indian civilisation.
“I am very excited. This happens once in 12 years. I feel fortunate to have come here. I will take a holy dip here too. These things are not about Hindus and Muslims, these are the things of our origin, our country and our civilisation. There is no Hindu or Muslim in this, if you believe you are an Indian, then you should feel everything.” Khan was quoted by ANI as saying.
Kabir Khan’s participation in the Hindu event is being seen as a gimmick to promote his films and his career. A social media user said: “All flop actors, directors are lining up to take a dip in Mahakumbh. When nothing else works then it’s all Bhagwan bharose!”
Khan’s move did not go well with the supporters of Hindutva ideology too. A user wrote, “This is only about Hindus, Kabir is only doing this for his film productions.”
Another comment read, “He has come to attend #Mahakumbh, obviously to fool Hindus and to come in their good books, so that they come to watch his movies.”