Some Indian moviemakers make movies that show Muslim youth as terrorists and Muslims as intolerant people. This stereotyping is going on for some time. The Indian government and the censor board have declined to take any action.
This week Tamil movie producer Kamal Haasan was planning to release his movie Vishwaroopam (in Tamil and Hindi languages) in Chennai. This movie again stereotypes Muslim youth as terrorists. Once again to make money Kamal Haasan is resorting to spreading this dangerous poison against the Muslim community. I am glad that the Muslim organizations in Tamil Nadu objected strongly to the state government and filed a petition in the high court. The result is favorable. The Tamil Nadu government has stopped the screening of the movie.
Muslim groups in Tamil Nadu have pledged to put peaceful siege/sit-down at any movie houses that may show the movie without the cuts that the community is demanding. These are steps in the right direction. Muslim groups should hold similar actions against the screening of this movie in other cities in India where uncut version of this movie is being shown.
However, it is important that Muslim groups remain peaceful and not allow any violence to occur. Demonstrating within the democratic system, making representation to government and high court are right steps in the right direction. — Kaleem Kawaja, Washington, D.C.
Anti-Muslim film
