In the popularised world we live in, it seems that to praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the initiatives taken by his government, celebrities need to take permission from Islamoleftists and Congress’ Darbari system. Otherwise they get cancelled out, draining away the years of their hard earned repute, skillset etc. Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) is the latest entry in the list of people hounded by intolerant liberal intelligentsia, often dubbed as victims of cancel culture.
A simple act of admiration of the Modi government has triggered a storm of hate, mainly from the very sections of society that pride themselves on advocating freedom of speech and expression. What is most disturbing, however, is not the criticism itself but the hypocrisy that inspires the attacks.
These self-proclaimed liberals, who preach the cause of free speech, have been showing a disposition of intolerance towards those individuals who have the temerity to express an opinion contrary to the ideological exigencies of their camp.
Shah Rukh Khan’s posting in praise of Prime Minister Modi was an innocuous statement to support the film and entertainment world summit—WAVES—an important event for celebrating India’s burgeoning entertainment industry. He did acknowledge the role of this industry in the Indian economy and as a soft power, pointing to the creativity driving it.
It is with great anticipation that I look forward to WAVES – a film and entertainment world summit – to be held in our country itself. An occasion that celebrates our industry and acknowledges the role it plays in the Indian economy as well as its strength as a soft power… and… https://t.co/QE52Rs11NZ
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) December 30, 2024
His tweet was apolitical, a recognition of the importance of the industry and its connection to national pride. However, his gesture was harshly criticized by many quarters, especially those who are quick to label themselves as “progressive” or “liberal.”
One of the foremost groups pushing for this is the Islamist-leaning section of the left-liberal intelligentsia, which seems to believe that Shah Rukh Khan should not have this right to extol the virtues of the Prime Minister. Why? Because, in their eyes, Modi is an ideological enemy. For them, any acknowledgment or support of Modi is seen as an unforgivable transgression, irrespective of the context or content of the statement. This intolerance toward any differing opinion has become the hallmark of the left-liberal ecosystem in India.
It should be recalled that the same voices who are condemning Shah Rukh Khan for his support for Narendra Modi were also the ones most vociferous in speaking up for freedom of speech and expression, mainly when it was convenient for them to do so. Convenient for them was the shouting of the time that everyone’s mind should be allowed to say what it says, no matter how unpopular, but the first moment someone of Shah Rukh Khan’s stature and influence over the masses expresses a viewpoint that isn’t in concert with their own ideology, and suddenly they can’t shut up as they start clamoring for shutting him up. This is an in-your-face demonstration of their intellectual dishonesty.
In this case, both the left-liberal and Islamist factions have refused to listen to the voices of individuals simply because their opinions differ from theirs. They are crying as SRK didn’t convey his condolences on Former PM Manmohan Singh’s demise. Why should he? If he doesn’t want to! It’s his personal choice but these liberals who talk of Freedom of Speech can’t simply digest it. They simply fail to realize that freedom of speech is meant for all voices and not just some voices.
It is not even Shah Rukh Khan’s case. One of the very many individuals of different walks of life, it is, who have been targeted for opinions that do not seem to fit the proscribed liberal narratives. The free speech champions try to silence their opponents who pose a challenge to their views. This is precisely the contradiction within their hypocrisy. They cannot claim to be defenders of freedom while, at the same time, attempting to shut anyone who expresses an opposing view.
It would also be amiss not to recognize the way in which Shah Rukh Khan, a Muslim, has been harassed by his co-religionists for his political persuasion. It is very clear that his crime in the eyes of these radical elements is not his faith but his willingness to openly support the government of Narendra Modi.
This is not the first time Shah Rukh Khan has faced backlash for speaking his mind. In fact, this is a recurring pattern in his life. He has been intimidated and threatened in the past, even for some as flimsy a reason as his religion or his appearances at political functions.
Shah Rukh Khan’s praise for Modi is strictly his own. It is an exercise of personal opinion and freedom of expression in democratic dispensation. In fact, the Indian Constitution guards this right through its fundamental jurisprudence of freedom of speech. But instead of showing respect towards a man’s right to expression, these so-called liberals and Islamists chose to nail him down. Here, their criticism is not done at the level of substance of his statement but out of deep-rooted animosity towards Modi and anyone who dares to support him.
An X user said, “Message vote against corruption in Jawan, called vote for development during MH election, attended DF (reference to Devendra Fadnavis) oath ceremony, didn’t tweet for Manmohan Singh. Connect the dots.”
It’s as if it is trying to make the argument that Shah Rukh Khan has been inconsistent with his political stance as if changing one’s mind is a crime, or if one has to be pro-different political leaders at different times of life. This line of reasoning is really flawed and reflects the extent to which these critics will go in order to denigrate Shah Rukh Khan for merely praising an initiative of the Modi government.
These disappointing statements coming out of hatred aren’t anything new.
Another user lamented, “Shame on You @iamsrk???? How could I think ever to have written these lines for you now? People at that time waited for so many years to think you will react. We at least understood you compulsions also, of speaking nothing against their divisive politics that Modi Government employs.”
This one statement tells people how deep division has become across the ideological board in Indian Society today. To them, Shah Rukh Khan’s personal decision to praise the Prime Minister is tantamount to betrayal. He must toe the line and support their narrative; therefore, they were irked when Shah Rukh Khan decided to think for himself and say what he wants.
Ironically, the very people who lambast Shah Rukh Khan for his apparent endorsement of Narendra Modi are actually those who continuously demand their freedom to express themselves. They demand free speech and the freedom to present opinions, but do not show that same mercy when it involves a dissenting opinion. They fail to understand the basic tenets of democracy, which include their right to disagree and their right to express dissent. In their pursuit of a homogeneous ideological society, they have become the very thing they once claimed to fight against.
It is not Shah Rukh Khan alone who has been treated this way. In the last few years, we have seen similar attacks on other public figures who dared to express opinions that did not fit into the left-liberal narrative. For example, in 2017, Hasin Jahan, the estranged wife of cricketer Mohammad Shami, was targeted on social media just because she did not wear a hijab. Similarly, journalists and activists who have veered a little off the pro-Islam agenda have even been severely criticized and trolled.
The real issue is the ever-growing intolerance within a particular segment of society claiming to be liberalism’s champions. They have developed such blind ideological bias that they cannot respect anybody else’s thoughts. As the years went by, it became manifest that the Indian society is really intolerant on the side that refuses to entertain any different view or idea instead of the government or its side.
True Hypocrisy:
Everyone sees it here—these are liberals who can claim tolerance but are on the front to strike down individuals with differing perspectives. They state themselves as voices of free speech yet stand to silence each and every soul that has words for the moment.
It is time for them to realise that true freedom of expression means respecting the rights of others to speak their truth, even if that truth is not the same as theirs.
Shah Rukh Khan has every right to eulogize PM Modi and anybody else to criticize him. To silence him, or anybody else for that matter, is a direct assault on the basic freedoms that define Indian democracy. If these so-called liberals continue their course of intolerance, they will be alienating people in greater numbers and, hence, ultimately make themselves irrelevant to the country’s political and cultural scene. It is high time they begin to respect the opinion of others or prepare for their own downfall.
