Give peace a chance

Mulk (Hindi, Country; 2018)

Human beings are social animals. Maybe it is because of our cavemen living situations, we feel comfortable in being amongst the same minded. We believe that numbers make strength. We also try to blame our mishaps to the other. It is never our mistake. With our thinking capability and our skill in the association of ideas, we can quickly put two and two together and blame our malady on the other who look, speak or dress differently. Subtly, it creates a 'us' versus 'them' divide. There is an innate desire to dominate the other, either through power, numbers or economy. When the going is okay, and when the cake is enough to go around, everything is hunky-dory. The society is civil.

When the homeostasis is rocked, or when uncertainties befall the society, pleasantries disappear. Man goes into survival mode. Birds of the same feather flock together for comfort and security. That is when all hell breaks loose.

The Jews went through the same predicament before, all through time, immemorial. They flocked together in their ancient old garb, practising unusual dietary and spiritual practices, walking around contented with a chip on their shoulder, thinking that they were God's chosen ones. Despite their seemingly austere lifestyles, they seemed to weather all difficulties and were industriously dedicated to their worldly and spiritual duties. These naturally brought resentment to the rest of the gentile community. They were quick to salvo their conspiracy theories and talks of clandestine ambitions to control the world. We know what happened afterwards.

Things have not changed much since. The world is still divided along the lines of 'us versus them'.

With the advent of advanced telecommunication techniques and the disposal of information at everybody's fingertips, one would expect the world to be wiser. On the contrary, the world is as confused as ever. The spread of fake news and the exaggeration of negativities just make the planet a more hostile place to live in.

A sterling performance by Rishi Kapoor.

The movie 'Mulk' is an emotionally high-charged presentation that seems to hit many parts of the world. For generations, many Muslim families have lived in harmony with their neighbours; living and others to live, sharing the living space and their thrills and joys. Of late, the rise of national and ethnoreligious sentiments has divided society. Like a pressure cooker, the tension is building up. One side blames the violence that happens around squarely on the other's religion. The other defends saying that violence is not part of their faith and they spread peace.

Ali's family is ostracised by his neighbours in Benares after a youngster from their household is implicated in a suicide bombing. All hell breaks loose. The harmony that the family shared with their neighbours for generations suddenly crumbles. Their loyalty to the country is questioned. Circumstantial evidence which goes back as far as the Partition rekindles old wounds.

We are ambassadors of our own beliefs. Whether we like it or not, when we insist that ours is a religion of peace, but its believers do not seem to portray such behaviour, people would not trust us. When we brag of our faith as the truth and are brazen enough to telecast it on a daily basis, non-believers would be turned off.

Peace is a very fragile entity. Like a crystal, it takes a long time to build. It can shutter to smithereens with a single misstep. Social order takes a tumble when the mob rules. Primal, animalistic behaviours and instincts take charge.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.