Racism…? I am afraid this hue and cry against the “apparent” racist remarks by Big Brother inmates against Shilpa Shetty – the bollywood siren – is diluting the larger issues of racism and discrimination that exist all over the world.
In being overly politically correct, we are also in the danger of diluting one of the most fundamental rights - the right to freedom of speech and expression.
What is happening in Big Brother is NOT racism. This is a bunch of self centred silly girls being just stupid & silly. Shilpa is a gorgeous woman with a drop dead figure. The reaction of Jade Goody and others is just a jealous reaction to the great looking Shilpa.
What has surprised me is the reaction of Indian politicians and public back home.
In India, where Shilpa’s numerous fans have taken to street and burnt effigies of Jade Goody etal, cast system still divide communities and people.
Indians should be the last to make an issue of discrimination given the fact that the problem is still at large and acute in their own country.
More than 160 million low cast hindu “untouchables” known as “dalits” face rampant human rights abuse on a daily basis.
“Dalit boy beaten to death for plucking flowers"; "Dalit tortured by cops for three days"; "Dalit 'witch' paraded naked in Bihar"; "Dalit killed in lock-up at Kurnool"; "7 Dalits burnt alive in caste clash"; "5 Dalits lynched in Haryana"; "Dalit woman paraded half-naked"; "Police egged on mob to lynch Dalits" are some of the common headlines in the mainstream national newspapers in India.
Dalits are not allowed to drink from the same wells, attend the same temples, wear shoes in the presence of an upper caste or drink from the same cups in tea stalls.
Shilpa Shetty famously asks her tormentor Jade Goody “Am I not human ? What about me is so different ?”
I ask Indian public and the politicians who are crying foul the same question……Are they not human..? What about them is so different..?
Please guys, put your house in order!!!
