Naseeruddin Shah says Islamophobia has become ‘fashionable’

Renowned Indian actor Naseeruddin Shah has expressed his concern about the way “undisguised propaganda” through art is being peddled to the masses, which is an alarming reflection of the current Islamophobic times.

Shah, a staunch opponent of the BJP-led government in power, claimed that hatred of Muslims is being “cleverly” used and has even taken on a “fashionable” status. The actor is now starring in Taj: Reign of Revenge on ZEE5. He plays Mughal emperor Akbar.

When asked if it’s a worrying sign that certain films and shows are being used as a vehicle of disinformation and propaganda, Shah told indianexpress.com that the mood on-screen is a reflection of what’s happening on ground: unabashed Islamophobia which is being used to get votes in elections.

“Oh sure, these are worrying times absolutely. The kind of stuff that’s pure, undisguised propaganda is being lapped up and it’s a reflection of the zeitgeist of the times. Muslim hating is fashionable these days, even among educated people. It’s what the ruling party has very cleverly tapped into this nerve. We talk about secular this, democracy that, so why are you introducing religion into everything?,” Shah said.

The veteran said the election commission is a mute spectator to politicians using religion to get votes and said there would have been utter devastation if a Muslim leader had asked for votes using “Allahu Akbar”.

“But here our Prime Minister goes ahead and says things like this and yet he loses. So, I have hope that this will wear off. But it’s definitely, at the moment, at its peak. It’s been a very clever card played by this government, and it has worked. Let’s see how long it continues to work,” he added.