We the People

It is a weekly television program broadcasted on NDTV 24*7 and anchored by Barkha Dutt. There is a panel of experts discussing on a current topic and an audience sharing their thoughts and asking questions. I thoroughly enjoy listening to their views every weekend. Between, I have a small anecdote to share of my college days. One of my friends, through his jack, would enable us to participate in a cricket quiz to be telecasted on DD sports. I also got an opportunity to participate in the cricket quiz and every participant was supposed to 500 rupees. The icing on the cake was your partner in the quiz will be a girl. With all the benefits, everyone was eagerly looking forward to participating in it and having fun. Also, the participation in sports quiz was added in extra curricular activities section of the resume.

Coming back to We the People, Imran Khan, great cricketer, was invited for the show and topic of the discussion was related to recent Mumbai attacks. Brakha Dutt, asked, Imran Khan “Do you agree that perpetrators of Mumbai attacks were Pakistani and state actors had supported them?”. I was enthusiastically waiting for the response from a great cricketer and a politician. He replied that “Brakha, I agree that perpetrators were Pakistani. But, there was local support for militants as they disposed the trawler kuber, took taxis and reached their respective destinations”. With his statement, he smartly transferred the blame from Pakistan to India and safe guarded his country against the allegations. Barkha replied to Imran’s statement “Let’s not get into an ugly argument”. I was impressed by Barkha’s reply as she avoided an argument and moved on with the show.

One topic of discussion drawn from We the People and other similar shows is “Should we call Pakistani politicians and bureaucrats on Indian television show similar to We the People after Mumbai attacks?” I personally don’t support their presence on these shows. It is a well known fact that Pakistanis won’t agree to the allegations imposed on them because if they agree, there are chances of him/her being assassinated or fired from the job. A recent example is Pakistan’s Security Advisor Mehmud Ali Durrani, who was axed because he had acknowledged Kasab, a lone survivor of Mumbai attacks, is a Pakistani national. Also, the duration of the show is limited to 60 minutes and precious time is wasted on hearing Pakistani politicians and bureaucrats. If Pakistanis are not invited, more time is available for Indian panelist to discuss the topic. Further, regular denial of allegations by Pakistanis only increases the frustration and aggravates the temper of Indian public. A recent example is of a Pakistani stand up comedian, who was shooting in Mumbai. He was stopped by a group of MNS activist and forced to leave the location.

I will like to conclude by proposing an alternative. The alternative is that India media can call Pakistani media who are the voice of common man.