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December 17, 1998
SPECIALS
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'The next Deepa Mehta film may be on wife-swapping'
How Readers reacted to Varsha Bhosle's recent columns
Date sent: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 10:24:26 -0500
It's about time people (politicians) grew up. I can't begin to write how angry it makes me every time these self-appointed moral-police-morons rear their ugly, vacuous heads. Lesbianism is not a social value, nor is it about to "pollute" our minds. Has anybody read the Kamasutra? I mean actually read it? Is what is in there supposed to be the much-touted "Indian" values? K Gaddam
Date sent: Fri, 11 Dec 1998 09:46:49 +0100
This whole stupid ruckus over Fire makes me go up in smoke. When will the so-called 'elders' and 'leaders' of our society stop closing their eyes? I am amazed at their ridiculous arguments. Lesbianism is alien to our culture! Have any of them bothered to read the Kamasutra? Ours is the culture that taught the world about sexuality. Now we have turned prudes, who would put the 16th century Catholics to shame!!! Protect our daughters and wives, indeed! Boys, you can try what the hell you please... after all, the world revolves around you, and women just exist for you! They are not allowed to think!! Not only the silly denial of the existence of lesbianism, or the blatant chauvinism... it is this patronising tone that these people have, which says "you are stupid, and do not know what is good for you... we, on the other hand, know just what is right for you. So we will decide what you can or cannot see, know or be aware of"! The fact is that the increase in awareness scares them to death. Because that will swallow their power. Have they forgotten that the very basis of Hinduism is tolerance to different ways, embracing new ideas, and making such a part of the whole? These bigots need to shut up!!! Varsha, I am impressed by your incredible ability to put emotions into words and hit the nail right on its head. Thanks!! Preeti Lali
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 22:04:55 -0800
Well, well, well. What do we have here? A column by Ms Bhosle that I can agree 100% with? The sun is definitely going to rise in the west tomorrow. Anil Das
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 19:09:00 -0800
I didn't read the whole article. By reading the first few lines, I understood where the author was trying to lead. I don't understand why everybody takes in a wrong way all these protests. Why do the producers try to portray this instead of some innovative and creative ideas? These films try to copy the western culture and western style. Yes, I agree that is good. But before doing such commercial films, why cannot they produce films like what the western nations produce? Like the Jurassic Park, Independence Day etc? Why are our producers and directors not coming up with similar films, which are innovative, creative and, of course, educative? We are yet to reach the level of thinking about lesbians and homosexuals. We don't want films like Fire. If you have guts produce films like Independence Day, Star Wars, Jurassic Park etc. The Indian film industry is not doing a service to the nation or the society with such films. Raj
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 15:23:57 -0800
Well spoken! Shuba
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 17:17:54 -0600
The column is very well-written. But the contents remind me of pseudo-intellects. Varsha's column promotes homosexuality. Deepa Mehta says homosexuality/lesbianism exists in Indian society. This may be true. Wild sex also goes on in Indian society. That does not mean that Deepa Mehta should screen a pornographic movie in India. Such topics like homosexuality and extra-marital affairs, which are considered to be "cool" amongst the pseudo classes in Bombay, are nothing less than society-destroyers, with 40% of India being illiterate. Film-makers like Deepa Mehta are on the lookout for instant success, which they can get thru such controversial movies. They never opened their mouths during the Mi Nathuram Boltoy controversy. You know why? Because, it was a 'Marathi' thing and 'Marathi' is not "COOL". The next Deepa Mehta film may be on one-night-stand or wife swapping. This also might be happening in the Indian society, but that's not reason enough to propagate it to the masses. That's why we have a Censor Board. Prashant
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 18:17:12 -0500
Excellent! Excellent! Excellent! But only one caveat. This should be read with Pritish Nandy's correct stance on the Gopal Godse issue. I think both are right. Neither the Congress or the Shiv Sena or any other political outfit has a right to censor what is essentially a work of art. I totally agree with you on the Bombay & Salman Rushdie incidents. At 51 we should grow up. Full power to you, Pritish, and all the rest at rediff.com Srini Balan
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 17:08:27 -0500
Let me congratulate you, Varsha for lashing out at the zombies who think that they are the pillars of Indian culture. I think the so-called Indian culture and values already have an identity crisis. I guess currently we are having a rape every hour not to talk about sexual abuse that must be having a faster cycle time than Intel's latest pentium chip.
Devanjan Sarkar
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 16:04:19 -0500
That was a superb piece. Homophobia is the most widespread form of bigotry throughout the world. And a fantastic conclusion. Yes, there is a conspiracy against Hindutva. To find out: try making a film that depicts Islamic (not Pakistani but Islamic) terrorism in India and see the reaction. ARN
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 14:24:07 -0600
Without getting into an argument over the freedom of expression et al, I have some comments to make regarding the movie. I can deal with lesbians and the fact that a lot of women and men in India are sexually deprived; what I can't digest are things like the servant squatting away in front of the disabled grand-mother. That just showed that we Indians are so massively deprived of sex that we'd go to any extent to get it. And that we have no respect for our elderly, which is a bunch of crock and threw me off my chair. I agree with Varsha when she lambastes these gentlemen on not speaking over other movies that had controversial underwriting. Rupin
Date sent: 10 Dec 98 11:23:57 PST
I have been an admirer of Varsha's writing primarily because of the clarity of her thoughts. I find a complete absence of pretension in her writings, which is very refreshing. Although I have found myself in agreement with most of her articles so far, I am afraid I have a different perspective when it comes to her views on homosexuality. I very firmly believe that homosexuality is an aberration in human behaviour and violates the law of nature the same way as other socially unacceptable things such as incest and suicide. Liberty and freedom of expression is welcome as long as it is done in a responsible manner. India admittedly is one of the poorer nations in the world, but I strongly believe that my country has a lot to give when it comes to spirituality. Our culture and values are cited as examples throughout the world. Due to the continued degeneration of our society we are becoming oblivious to our heritage and aping the West. Like any other civilisation, western society has a lot of positive as well as negative aspects. I am afraid that when it comes to emulation, we tend to pick up the wrong ones. This explains why our youth are more fascinated with scant dressing and drugs rather than learning from western professionalism. The rise of the homosexual activism is one such example. Despite all the arguments forwarded to make it sound natural, I find it impossible to accept. Maybe, it is due to the way my values have been shaped up through my upbringing. So what if it has been prevalent in the Indian society for quite some time now? So what if it allegedly finds reference in some of our ancient literature? A wrong is always a wrong. The last thing that we should do is to glorify such practices on the celluloid. Varsha referred to the opposition against the movie as some kind of male backlash against their losing grip over female sexuality. I am not sure if I want to portray it in the same light. I am against all form of homosexuality, both male as well as female. I also unequivocally disapprove the violent means adapted by Shiv Sainiks -- but I am certainly in favour of protesting against the movie using all peaceful means, including a boycott call. Indian society faces a number of challenges today. One of the most burning issues is the status of rural/ semi-urban women in our society. It is highly deplorable that incidences of dowry deaths are still being reported. We have a long, long way to go before we call ourselves a just society. But just because there are many things wrong in our society, it does not mean that we should add one more. The real (or eternal) sense of freedom and liberty can be attained only by spiritual awakening and not by heeding to our sexual instincts. Let us not confuse liberty with perversion. Sushil Kumar
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 11:25:00 -0500 (EST)
Varsha wrote: 'When secularist dingbats can't counter my logic, in frustration, they affix abusive adjectives to it: one wrote, "warped arguments that will not endure even a mildly rigorous examination" -- but wouldn't demonstrate that..." You mean using abusive adjectives like "dingbats" to defend your non-existent logic is okay?
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 08:47:42 -0800
It takes a Varsha to pour her thoughts so well. Now my dear, how would you go about telling illiterate crowds like Laloo and our own Bombay dummies that for true freedom all types of participation is important? Behind every riot is a Shiv Sainik -- may be Bal Thackeray is getting old. I want to see Fire and Godse's version of the Gandhi's assassination. They both are provocative and also it will give us the opportunity to accept gays and lesbians as our own brothers and sisters. Today in Oregon they have passed a law that gay couples will be eligible to all governmental benefits given to heterosexual couples.
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 10:08:07 -0700
Varshaji Nobody said lesbianism is bad. Just that it's something to do indoors. Just like regular heterosexual activity. It's pornographic. Eashwer
Date sent: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 14:59 -0500 (EST)
I wonder why all Catholics get so angry (and happy too as one wrote) at Varsha's articles. If they are Indians, secular, and care about the freedom of expression they should not feel bad when Varsha goes after their community. They complain about her venom and all that but when they react and write they write in the same language. India in general has a Hindu identity and everything will be in the interest of the majority.
Date sent: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 23:16:05 -0800
This Salman Khan comes across as a boor, regardless of what religion he belongs too. I agree with you. It is disheartening to see that certain parties are quick to ascribe a religious angle to it. You expect that from the illiterate masses but not any journalist worth his/ her salt. As for the act itself, it makes me sick to think that there were other Bollywood personalities who went along with this barbarism. I know next to nothing about Bollywood, but I certainly hope there are sensible people in the Indian movie industry to speak out against this in the strongest possible terms. How about some stiff prison sentences for all the hoodlums that were involved directly or indirectly? Since all of them weren't Muslims, that ought to please those who see an anti- Muslim bias in this nauseating episode.
Kris Chandrasekar
Date sent: Thu, 12 Nov 1998 21:42:33 -0800
Thank you, Varsha for the wonderful wake-up call. The Khans and the defenders of Khans are inhumane. I am really ashamed that these people are held in high esteem in India. I felt sick when I read that the Khans drove the chinkaras to exhaustion before killing, and kept a peacock tied to a tree. This is a real test for the judiciary, government, press and the people. Until the Khans are put behind the bars for a reasonable period, I won't trust anyone. For my part, I will not only see any of the Khan movies, but also will cut off my economic ties with India. If many NRIs join me in cutting off their economic ties with India, the state governments will wake up and the Khans will start eating prison food rather than peacock biriyani. Since I don't trust politicians, I contribute to the WWF. I ask them to keep a watch on this case. I request every one to email the WWF in their country to follow this case closely. If enough people like us join together, we may be able to save chinkaras, black bucks, and peacocks.
Date sent: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 14:12:18 -0400
Yes I do agree that the defence forces are not very much recognised in our society. Coming from the defence background I know what these people endure and it's right when they say that 'We are giving our today for your tomorrow."
Ashish Pant
Date sent: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 11:04:13 -0700
Good, keep it up. Nilanjan Das
Date sent: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 12:07:52 +0000
It's again the same old policies! I really don't understand the introduction of Sanskrit as a compulsory language in schools. Hell! Imagine everybody talking in Sanskrit, after 50 years! *chukle* I agree completely with you Varsha in calling the BJP an OSP (One Stupid Party). Let them try to give the people of India a breather by bringing down the price of onions and potatoes, tightening the economy, killing corruption, bringing out the Uniform Civil Code etc... And then call for a change in the education system!! By the way, I loved your rebuttal to readers' comments. I just couldn't stop giggling at your frustration. Keep up the good work. I eagerly wait for your next column! Mahesh 'Mashya'
Date sent: Thu, 05 Nov 1998 12:56:25 -0600
While most of your columns leave me with a this-person-knows-what-she's talking-about feeling, the one on attempting to justify Jessup murdering Santiago rattled me quite a bit. May be you've just seen this movie... and then met a couple of 25-year-old hunks at the army...and you put two & two together. It appears so in your column. Having seen the movie a dozen times at least, and having both my parents serving in the Indian armed forces, and having put in two years myself in the NCC during college (unlike the school NCC, the one at college tends to mimic the real army pretty closely), I must say that the army ain't so pious as you think. In fact, I was one of those patriotic junkies in my teens & I constantly dreamed of joining the NDA just as my father had run away from home in his teens to enroll in the Air Force. However, as I found out later, things ain't really so simple. The practice of code red is alive & well in the Indian Army too & worse things exist. At an NCC annual camp under the command of an Indian army "commando", I had the most nauseating experience yet. In case you're unaware, the Indian Army has a small number (few thousands) of these commandos -- they train in pairs & are exceptionally fit & are taught to kill any moving thing with their hands. They're used for very important recovery missions. OK, so it turned out this commando was a homosexual who "did" a couple of boys in the camp. One of them ratted on him & got hell for it. The rest of us at the camp were witnesses to that. What bothered me more was the cover-up, by saying that commandos live in pairs (they call themselves "buddies") and are away from their family so long that homosexuality is quite common and we students were making a big deal of an 'isolated incident." I remember we were in our teens then. The boy's life was severely affected by whatever he had to endure at the hand of this "brave patriotic" commando. And the commando got off without so much as a reprimand. What I saw there affected me so profoundly I dropped all my plans forever taking the NDA and soon after college came to the US. I would have nothing to do with any army, Indian or otherwise. While my reaction may have been extreme, it is quite true that severe "self-discipline" in the armed forces leads to casualties covered up too. My mom's in the Air Force too & she often talks of 20-year-old recruits unable to make the grade severely rebuked by their peers & subjected to all sorts of nonsense I'd rather not mention here. The Indian Army, as every army, has an important role to play & I don't deny that. But justifying code red is in no way condonable. If you had been there & subjected to one yourself, you'd know what it means. Colonel Jessup killed private Santiago, and there're no two ways about it. If you can't see murder for what it really is, go fly a kite. Krishnan |
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