@Pan-Islamic-Pakistan
I just saw the debate on that link you shared. These are my observations:
1) The "moderator" was being a
jahill which is typical of Indian presstitutes. Why was he interrupting Mr. Javed Jabbar so much, and not letting him finish his sentences? The moderators like him are the reason I don't watch any Indian media videos, except for a few exceptions like The Hindu, Telegraph etc. They are all a shame in the name of journalistic integrity.
2) The points argued by Mr. Jabbar are valid. As you would know, I have said those exact points here on this forum. But, the Indian audiences could not believe their ears. Even some Indian liberals like Mani Shankar Iyer do not like Pakistanis defending their own nation. At least not in public (in private he may be different). Now let us remember in India, the Sanghi news channels frequently depict Mani Shankar Aiyar as a Pakistan-supporter, a
desh-drohi and a
gaddar towards India.
Aiyar has been to that country many times. If there is one liberal they want to send to Pakistan first, it will be him. Of course, Mani Shankar is a representative of Congress, so he has to follow certain political compulsions. His actual private views might be very similar to mine. In fact, his frequent dalliances with Pakistan (and hugging of Pakistanis) has cost Congress party dearly in the past. As I said earlier, in India, if you are seen as a friend or well-wisher of Pakistan, then it automatically makes you an enemy of India. Look at the way I am being treated on this forum by my own countrymen, as an example. In the '90s, I studied at a fairly inclusive school in cosmopolitan Mumbai. We had lots of Hindus, Muslims, boys, girls, etc. But even then, Pakistan was taught to be the enemy. I remember a slogan that was sometimes used in the school parade ground: "
Pakistan ka jo yaar hai, wo desh ka gaddar hai, gaddar hai.." (whoever is friend of Pakistan, is a traitor of India). However, even as a schoolchild, I never accepted that kind of stupid slogan. Outside the school, most people I grew up with weren't anti-Pakistan. Many Pakistani actors, actresses, singers, would often come for concerts or work in Bollywood movies, just a few hundred meters away from my home. Also I once personally met a very youngish Shoaib Akhtar as a teenager even though I'm not a cricket fan. In this light, I feel Mani Shankar Aiyar was only trying to be diplomatic. His private views might be very different, otherwise he wouldn't keep going to Pakistan frequently.
So, in short, I would have expected Mr. Jabbar to be aware of Mani Shankar's compulsions, and not lash out at him. He should have instead schooled that G.D. Bakshi which I would have cheered.
3) G. D. Bakshi is of course, full of shite. He's a lapdog of Narendra Modi, not even worth discussing. I don't even consider him human.
4) Javed Akhtar has a different angle. His points are valid, he doesn't want to see India become a religion-dominated country like Pakistan is. Javed Akhtar is an agnostic Muslim, and absolutely secular like me. So, his views are somewhat similar to mine. Of course, he is forced to bash Pakistan because as I said, in India, you can't simultaneously be seen as a friend of Pakistan, and loyal to India.
Especially not when you're a Muslim. As
@xeuss would also agree, it's harder for Indian Muslims to support Pakistan than for Hindus.
these Hindutvadis might hate Mani Shankar Aiyer or someone like me, at least they know we are "on their side." They have this mistaken notion that they can perhaps, "reform" us. We don't have to prove it! Unfortunately, for some Indian Muslims in Javed Akhtar's or Asauddin Owaisi's position, they have to constantly prove that they are loyal to India.