The seven days which ended Tuesday this week have been remarkable, with me being on a swing between one end of the spectrum to the other in terms of activism. What started as my participation in a non-violent crusade ended up with me being the target of violence. The period has also been perhaps the stormiest time I have ever endured in decades.
But why should I write about my vicissitudes in this column, you might well ask, and quite rightly. I am referring to them here as it was an acid test for me whether I could remain committed to the principles that I write about in this column.
It began very peaceably, with me at Jantar Mantar joining the ranks of supporters of Anna Hazare in his crusade against corruption. At the rally, I was interviewed by several television channels. Some politically mischievous elements in Mumbai misrepresented my comments about the Constitution to say that I had stated that the Constitution should be thrown out, or words to that effect.
My alleged comments raised the hackles of legislators in the Maharashtra Assembly and the Speaker passed a privilege motion against me, calling for an investigation. No amount of replaying of my quote by the channel — in which it was clear that I never stated anything even remotely resembling what my detractors were trying to allege — could pacify the politicians that the channel interviewed.
My acting school was the scene of demonstrations that afternoon and later in the evening, my apartment block was stoned. The next day, my effigies were burnt in some parts of the city. All this happened because of something which I had never said; because of something which was intentionally created to fulfil some ulterior motive.
What does one do in stressful times like this, when one is wrongly charged with a trespass which one did not commit? I resolved not to react as that would make things spiral out of control. But more importantly, I did not react as I did not feel compelled to react. I did not lose my sense of calm even though I was incessantly badgered by the media for comments and bytes for several hours.
In retrospect, I was happy with the way I reacted to the tumultuous events. It is very easy to be on the sidelines and give expert advice, but the true test comes when one is facing the heat. The next morning, I went to see the gentle nun who initiated me into the world of differently-abled children a decade ago, Sister Dolores.
To me, she has always embodied spiritualism. After a quiet chat, she left me with a moving message which I felt was crafted for readers of this column. “Remember Anupam, your fight is against corruption... and not against the corrupt. Do not confuse one for the other. Forgive those who threw stones at your house; they do not understand what they have done. In your peace will lie your strength.”
I said amen to that.
ANUPAM KHER
The writer is a renowned film and theater actor
source: www.deccanchronicle.com
source: www.deccanchronicle.com
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