Ayodhya verdict: Bollywood urges for peace, calm
India?s film industry, which has told numerous stories that seek to strengthen the bonds of love and brotherhood in the nation of a billion people, has appealed for peace and calm following the Ayodhya title suit verdict on Thursday.
In an appeal, the members of Mumbai film fraternity have urged Indians not to be swayed by communal leaders, who may seek to lash up popular sentiments.
Referring to the communal clashes Mumbai had witnessed about two decades back, the appeal read: ?We urge you to not let politics and politicians strike at your lives and livelihoods to serve their purposes?.
??.long after the first stone has been thrown, the first gash made, the first fire rages, the traders of hate go home, it is you, and us, who will be left to live with the debris of disaster,? the appeal added.
The Bollywood stars have also posted individual appeals for peace, mostly on Twitter.
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan posted on Twitter: ?Allah, God, Bhagwan in whichever name we pray to the supreme power, resides in man?s heart, not in man-made houses for Him.
?I hope we Indians realise how difficult it is to build stadiums and respect and so easy to break monuments and disrespect each others? beliefs.
?I mean first our beliefs should take seed and grow in our hearts and then only we should manifest that in places of prayer and God,? his post read.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar wrote on his Twitter page: “Let’s not mutilate 30-9-10 over 6-12-92. Religion is about peace and love; let’s not make it about hate and violence!!!”
Actor Fardeen Khan wrote: “India’s greatest strength lies in its unity and today is a true test of that. Let’s confront the Ayodhya issue in the spirit of understanding, tolerance, love and respect. If we do achieve that then we will be able to look back and proudly say that yes India is truly shining – Jai Hind.”
Riteish Deshmukh, actor and son of a politician himself, tweeted, “United India is the religion I follow – Stay one – Be one – Let’s show that we are a ONE-derful Country.”
Veteran actor Anupam Kher posted: “I am in Toronto, but my heart is in India. Let NO court verdict spoil our togetherness. Let us be ONE. Let us be INDIANS.”
Young actor Sonam Kapoor, in her Tweet, said: “Remember, united we stand and divided we fall. Love and brotherhood has made our country strong, don’t give that up.”
Another actor R Madhavan added, “Big Day today for all of us. I am not concerned which way the verdict goes. I Demand that not one more innocent suffers because of this. Need to defy the expected and react to the Verdict with maturity and restraint. Let’s surprise ourselves and the world. I pray for peace and Harmony. Whatever the verdict.”
Actor Shahid Kapoor tweeted: “Let’s be peaceful, let’s be together… Let’s be mature, let’s learn to be the bigger person, see the larger picture … and prove that above all .. WE ARE INDIAN.”
