Naseeruddin Shah slams Modi govt over rising communal violence in India

Bollywood actor says walls of hatred are being raised in the name of religion in India

ISLAMABAD:

Bollywood actor Naseeruddin Shah on Saturday said that walls of hatred are being raised in the name of religion in India and those who are opposing this injustice are being punished.

Shah spoke out in a video released by Amnesty India. His statement comes in the wake of the Indian government’s recent crackdown on NGOs.

In 2018, India witnessed a massive crackdown on freedom of expression and human rights defenders. Let's stand up for our constitutional values this new year and tell the Indian government that its crackdown must end now. #AbkiBaarManavAdhikaar pic.twitter.com/e7YSIyLAfm

— Amnesty India (@AIIndia) January 4, 2019

In the solidarity video for the human rights watchdog, the Bollywood actor said that the those who are demanding rights are being put behind bars.



"Artistes, actors, scholars, poets are all being stifled. Journalists too are being stopped from raising their voice," he said.

“In the name of religion, walls of hate are being erected. Innocents are being killed. The country is awash with horrific hatred and cruelty,” he added.

"Is this where India is headed? Had we dreamt of a country where there was no space for dissent, where only the rich and powerful are heard and where the poorest and most vulnerable are oppressed? Where there once was law, there is now only darkness.”