Naseeruddin Shah’s Taliban remarks irk Indian Muslims, appease BJP

Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah has created a stir over comments he made about the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

In a video, Naseeruddin Shah admonished "sections of Indian Muslims" against celebrating the group's victory, saying they were setting a dangerous precedent. He drew a parallel between "Indian Islam" and what is practised in other parts of the world.

His comments irked Muslims in India who accused him of making false binaries, reported BBC on Friday.

But many supporters of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) praised Mr Shah and said more Muslims should speak up against the Taliban.

Speaking in Urdu, the 71-year-old actor said that those who are apparently celebrating the return of the militant group in Afghanistan should ask themselves "if they want a reformed, modern Islam or live with the old barbarism of the past decades". 

Mr Shah said that "Hindustani" or Indian Islam has always been unique and different from the rest of the world, and that he hoped "God will not bring a time when it changes so much that we cannot even recognise it". 

"I am an Indian Muslim...and my relationship with God is informal. I do not need a political religion," he added. 

Absolutely! 💯
Taliban is a curse! pic.twitter.com/Bs6xzbNZW8

— Sayema (@_sayema) September 1, 2021

Indian journalist Saba Naqvi called Mr Shah's comments "a trap and a binary" - one that unnecessarily put the onus of disowning the Taliban on Indian Muslims. "Why are so many Indian Muslims sitting up and being asked to condemn Taliban? Did they chose, elect or invite Taliban?" she wrote on Twitter. 

Why are so many Indian Muslims sitting up and being asked to condemn Taliban? Did they chose, elect or invite Taliban? Why are talented individuals from world of cinema falling into the trap of having to speak on this? It’s a trap and a binary

— Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) September 2, 2021

Journalist and commentator Aditya Menon said that the "actor's rant was unnecessary" and "ill-advised". 

"At a time when Indian Muslims are facing economic boycott, mob violence, police atrocities, last thing they need is a prominent voice adding to the bogey that Taliban mentality could take over the community. There's no such threat," he added.

Naseeruddin Shah's rant was unnecessary. At a time when Indian Muslims are facing economic boycott, mob violence, police atrocities, last thing they need is a prominent voice adding to the bogey that Taliban mentality could take over the community. There's no such threat.

— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) September 2, 2021

Calling pro Taliban people out is fine. Naseer sb made it seem as if that's the biggest threat for Indian Muslims. This is wrong. Only a handful spoke in support of Taliban. Also now Indian Govt & media are talking to Taliban so why only Indian Muslims have to bear the burden? https://t.co/ZyQKQH0Irf

— Aditya Menon (@AdityaMenon22) September 2, 2021

Critics have repeatedly raised concerns about the increasing marginalisation of India's 200 million Muslims. Many of them have been victims of discrimination and hate crimes - a trend which critics say has intensified since 2014 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

However, filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, a staunch supporter of the BJP government, lauded Mr Shah for speaking against "inhuman and barbaric Taliban". 

"I hope more and more educated and creative Muslims especially from Bollywood speak against these enemies of humanity," he added.