Dear Shah Rukh Khan,
Indeed, it is a difficult
time for you and your family but like any other difficult time, this too shall
pass. I am primarily writing you this open letter to share my sincere concern
with you at this hour of crisis. While I am sharing my concern over your
personal grief with you, let me also share with you the grief of millions of
your followers which you could not see in the meteoric rise to your stardom. Here I wish to take this opportunity to tell you
that it is the right time for you to feel the pain of your millions of
marginalised and oppressed followers, fans & countrymen who buy your movie
tickets & find a role model in you. During this hard time, you may see that
many of them are standing outside your MANNAT carrying placards in their
hands to give you a sense of strength & support. They are supporting you,
despite knowing the fact that you will never stand for them for their cause whenever
& wherever they will need you. You owe them for the selfless love they
always shower upon you. It is
also high time for you to come out from the shell of stardom for a moment and
think like an ordinary individual whose suffering has now become the part and
parcel of his daily life. Since you are emotionally charged now adays, it seems
to me that my piece of advice will not go in vain. I do not wish to add insult
to your injury, believe me! my intention is pure and noble. I don’t have any
personal grudge against you and why would I have? I genuinely admire your
acting skill, but I am not your fan. I do not believe in hero worshipping as it
disappoints me many a time.
Shah Rukh, you must know that
a celebrity of your stature is not an ordinary individual, you are the part of
that one percent privileged & influential group towards which an ordinary
person looks for aspiration and inspiration. Your followers imitate your lifestyle,
they feel a sense of association with you whenever they purchase a product
endorsed by you. You are one of the most loved Indians across globe. Many
people here in India and abroad adore you and these are the obvious reasons
which distinguish you from others. Shah Rukh! you are aware of this fact that
your voice matters a lot but still you choose to remain silent over public
issues due to fear of trolling and witch hunt. You may justify your fear by
giving any rationale but let me tell you that your deafening silence has always
disappointed those who admire you.
Last few years were very
disturbing for all of us in many contexts; The political turmoil, mob lynching
of Muslims and Dalits, the political effort to disenfranchise Muslim minority
through NRC & CAA, police brutality on university students particularly in
Jamia (your alma mater), farm bills and many more issues which shook the
nation, but you like many others did not utter a single word against the barbarity of the political
establishment rather you always opted to remain as a mute spectator. I
genuinely feel sorry for you Shah Rukh!
Shah Rukh, it came to my
knowledge that some of the big brands you have endorsed for so many years have also
left you in the meantime and they have cancelled the ad contracts. These big brands have not
only convicted your son but you too before the court announces its verdict. At
this hour of crisis only your followers & fans are with you. You know who
they are? They are the same ordinary individuals who buy your movie tickets and genuinely
admire you.
Shah Rukh, you may wonder
that why I am sharing these things with you at this moment but believe me, it
is important, because I think it will help in developing a sense of empathy in you. It
will also help you in the process of introspection and catharsis. We know, as
an actor, you play different roles on silver screen but as a celebrity, how can
you refuse to play multiple roles to meet the demand of the multiple identities
which you carry in a macro society? Your constant refusal and denial remind
me of someone who once rightly said, “if you have ever wondered what you’d do
during slavery, the Holocaust or Civil Rights Movement; You are doing it right
now.” A celebrity like you is supposed to take a strong stand and speak your
mind on growing injustice and bigotry in the country. Because your silence has
always helped the oppressor not the oppressed. You may also understand this
with this simple fact that if you are not with the oppressed you are with the
oppressor. You can’t remain apolitical in a country like India where political
class has become a continuous threat to the idea of India. Protecting the idea
of India is way more important than giving a blockbuster movie. In my opinion, an apolitical individual is far
more dangerous than a politically biased individual.
Shah Rukh, When I heard
the news about your son Aryan Khan in the alleged drug case. I really felt bad.
The matter is still sub judice before the court therefore I refrain myself from
commenting on it. My sympathy is with you and your family because I still
believe that a person is innocent until proven guilty. I also believe that many
Muslim youths who have been arrested by the different agencies in the name of
terror suspects are also innocents. Many of them have not proven guilty by the
court yet, some of them are missing and few of them have turned their hair grey
in the hope of justice. Someday, I do hope that you will raise your voice for
them too. Their parents are waiting for them the way you are waiting for Aryan.
You are the world’s second richest actor, you may hire top lawyers who can
assure you bail for your son but those suspected youths who are behind bars on
terror charges, their parents can’t even think of it.
Shah Rukh, I know that
you as an individual can’t address all the existing issues of our society. You
have done and are still doing exceptional philanthropic work to uplift the
downtrodden. Let me acknowledge the commendable work you are doing through your
‘Meer foundation’ to give a new hope to the acid attack survivors. I know you
are doing your bit but since you have an impactful reach, your responsibility
towards society is much more than any other individual.
Shah Rukh, at the end, I
have an interesting story to share with you and this is about A.J. Muste, an
American civil right activist. During the Labor Movement in America, a reporter
asked him, "Do you really think you are going to change the policies of
this country by standing out here alone at night in front of the White House
with a candle?" A.J. Muste replied softly: "Oh I don't do this to
change the country. I do this so the country won't change me.” Like Muste, we
want you to speak your mind Shah Rukh! before you forget that you too had a
voice.
Shah Rukh, at this moment
when you are running pillar to post to seek bail for your son, I know there is no time
left for you to consider my words and respond to this letter, but I do hope
that in near future when the dust settles, you will surely ponder over these questions
and respond to your conscience.
Regards
Shahid Jamal
New Delhi-25
