New Delhi:
Mukesh Khanna has as soon as once more discovered himself within the highlight for one more controversial assertion. The veteran actor weighed in on the continued debate surrounding Vande Mataram and remarks made by Sharmila Tagore about singing the nationwide track in its entirety. Identified for his roles as Shaktimaan and Bhishma in Mahabharat, Mukesh didn’t maintain again whereas sharing his opinion on the matter.
In an interview with Free Press Journal, Mukesh Khanna was requested about Sharmila Tagore’s view that solely the opening stanzas of Vande Mataram must be sung, contemplating India’s spiritual range and the emotions of individuals from totally different faiths. In response, the actor questioned the rationale behind limiting the nationwide track on spiritual grounds. He maintained that spiritual concerns shouldn’t affect how Vande Mataram is approached or handled.
“She is talking in keeping with her personal understanding. I do not know why she stated it. Possibly whereas explaining her standpoint, she ended up saying that individuals from different religions could not perceive or settle for it,” Mukesh stated.
The actor additionally referred to Sharmila Tagore’s marriage into the Pataudi household whereas questioning her place on the Vande Mataram debate. He addressed her as “Ayesha Begum” throughout his remarks.
“Did you realise solely after marriage that Islam additionally exists? Once you turned a Begum, did you then realise that Muslims observe a special religion? You turned Ayesha Begum for marriage, however at this time you’re talking as Ayesha Begum. I am stunned that after residing your complete life with Hinduism, you could have instantly turn into involved about different religions,” he stated.
Mukesh additionally spoke about Sharmila Tagore’s Bengali background, stating that she was raised with cultural and non secular traditions equivalent to Kali Puja.
“You grew up in Bengal, the place Kali Puja is well known on such a big scale. You’ve grown up with Bengali tradition and Bengali movies. Why is it solely now that you just really feel that individuals from one other faith could not settle for this?” he requested.
The actor claimed that historic objections to Vande Mataram from sections of the Muslim group weren’t restricted to references to Hindu deities within the later verses. He stated one other concern stemmed from the assumption that Muslims are supposed to bow solely earlier than God.
“Their objection didn’t start at this time. The argument has been that they bow solely earlier than Khuda and due to this fact wouldn’t bow earlier than anybody else,” he stated.
