Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 20: “If an angry mob surrounds my children and asks if they are Hindu or Muslim, then they will have no answer,” says actor Naseeruddin Shah.
In his comments to Karwan-e-Mohabbat India (Caravan of Love) a travelling activist collective that is focused on highlighting and combating instances of hate crimes and lynching, the actor says that today’s society is ‘poisoned’ and it is difficult to put this ‘djinn’ (genie) back into the bottle.
The actor points out death of a cow has more significance [in today's India] than that of a police officer, referring to the recent Bulandshahr violence. “Those who take law in their hands enjoy impunity,” he adds.
The actor says that he has not given any religious education to his children. “I was given a religious education...But Ratna [Pathak Shah, Naseeruddin's wife] did not get any religious education...[And] we chose not to give a religious education to our children,” Shah says.
“I believe good and evil have nothing to do with religion and hence my children were not brought up in a religious environment,” the actor asserts.
“I am angry and I believe every right thinking man must be angry and must not fear,” the actor concludes.