By Priyal Sanghavi

Freedom of speech in India has always been a tricky issue. The law gives this right to everyone, but books, plays, movies and other forms of expression have been banned or censored. Popular figures are not spared either. If someone makes a statement which is borderline controversial, he can rest assured there’ll be a backlash - even if is the Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan.

The last two weeks have been turbulent for the superstar. Khan, who also owns Indian Premier League cricket team Kolkata Knight Riders, commented on the isolation of Pakistani cricketers in the IPL. He said Pakistani players should play in the tournament.

Right-wing political party Shiv Sena was soon up in arms. Party leader Bal Thackeray blasted Khan, calling him a traitor. Through his party newspaper Saamna, he mockingly said Khan should appoint captured Mumbai attacks suspect Ajmal Ali Kasab as captain of Kolkata Knight Riders.

Demonstrations were held outside Khan’s home and effigies of him were burnt. Fellow superstar Amir Khan, who had supported his counterpart, also came under fire. Shiv Sena then announced they would not allow Khan's latest film, My Name is Khan (MNIK), to be screened in Mumbai unless he tendered an apology.

Khan refused. “I don’t see what the issue is”, he said at a press conference in London last week. “Am I supposed to retract I’m an Indian but I don’t want anyone to come to my country? Do I say what my freedom fighter father said was wrong and what kids study is wrong?”

Sport and creative arts are ideally devoid of territorial boundaries. In spite of tensions between India and Pakistan, there has been an influx of Pakistani talent into India and the countries have strong sporting ties. Cricket in India is considered a religion, and to have politics mar such ties in unacceptable. With many parties refusing to go on the record about the seclusion of Pakistani cricketers, Khan’s public statement is both bold and commendable.

The name calling and potshots at Khan’s patriotism are below the belt. Another ultra right-wing organisation has questioned Khan’s Muslim religion. Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia said: “He will continue to support Pakistan at the cost of our own national interests.”

Khan has ruled Indian films for the last two decades, has had an uncontroversial family life and is looked up to by millions, both inside and outside India. He is a youth icon and to malign him in this fashion for speaking his mind may prove to be harmful to Shiv Sena’s image.

What is perhaps most objectionable is Shiv Sena’s threat to the film. The brunt of one man’s actions, despite being the lead actor, should not be borne by the remaining 200-odd crew of the movie. Shah Rukh has apologised to the whole staff of MNIK. “So much is at stake. Because of what I say and believe, their (MNIK staff’s) work is going to be affected and I have no idea how to change that.” The repercussions of politics are being felt by the film, and this is being seen as largely unfair.

But Bal Thackeray does have a point. It has been more than a year since the Mumbai attacks and the perpetrators remain largely at liberty in Pakistan. Cutting cultural ties can apply all the pressure needed to bring swifter action. Cricket is a prestigious and rich sport for both nations, hence it makes front page headlines. Banning Pakistani players is a powerful and perhaps effective way to display unhappiness with Pakistan’s authorities.

It is also unwise to dismiss Shiv Sena’s long-standing anti-immigration campaign as obsolete. Where does India draw the line? A city like Mumbai has seen people from all over the country come to make a living. Khan himself is one. With cutthroat competition in the jobs market, and a fight for other amenities, the locals need a representative party. In advocating national unity, one can’t forget local people. Shiv Sena has been doing just that; its manifesto is all about catering to the local indigenous Marathi population.

The initial Shiv Sena versus Shah Rukh Khan dispute has quickly risen in profile. Shah Rukh has found mass support among actors, politicians and the masses. Many ‘Support Shah Rukh Khan’ groups have appeared on social networking sites. News channel CNN IBN is running a Mumbai For All campaign. India’s ruling Congress party has criticised Shiv Sena’s stand. Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chauvan has spoken in Shah Rukh’s favour, declaring he would watch My Name is Khan with his family and provide adequate security to cinemas.

Shiv Sena have backtracked on their initial decision to stop the movie. The editorial in their newspaper sarcastically comments: “Let Congresswallahs rule us ... Let Pakistani cricketers come and play anywhere in this country, let Australians continue with their attacks on Indians, let Pakistan continue with terror attacks like 26/11.”

The issue has turned into a carnival with everyone jumping in to add their soundbite. Shah Rukh, who is sick of the affair, appears to be emerging victorious, with MNIK garnering more publicity than before. But the once powerful Shiv Sena, with the tiger as its symbol, has kept going despite numerous problems and fragmentation. Freedom of speech shall continue to be exercised but with caution, and the tiger will still roar but with its claws slowly clipped out.