Shiv Sena Forces Nawazuddin To Drop Out Of RamLeela Because He Is A Muslim

We are very accepting when Salman or ShahRukh grace the silver screen as a certain ‘Prem’ or ‘Rahul’, but somehow we are not open to a Muslim man playing a certain role in Ram Leela?

The debate over banning Pakistani artists has just closed our minds to the fact that guys, Nawaz is not Pakistani, he is an Indian Muslim just like SRK, Salman, Aamir and all those we adore. So what is wrong with us?

Nawazuddin Siddiqui hails from a small village called Budhana in Uttar Pradesh. He was all set to perform in the Ramleela in front of his home people this year. But because he is not a Hindu, it became an issue in the village and he had to pull out because of pressure from Shiv Sena. 

Nawaz said, “My childhood dream could not come true, but will definitely be a part of Ramleela next year.”

 

Nawazuddin Siddiqui was going to play the role of Maarich, the demon who transforms himself into a golden deer and helps Ravana kidnap Sita.

For the first time in the history of my Village “Budhana”@Nawazuddin_S to play the role of “Maarich” in the Local Ramleela pic.twitter.com/Law0YMXlwn

— Shamas N Siddiqui (@ShamasSiddiqui) October 5, 2016

 

Shiv Sena district head, Mukesh Sharma approached the police and appealed to the community to drop Nawaz from performing in the Ramleela because it is aginst the tradition to let a Muslim perform. Mukesh Sharma says,

“Our objection is with his name as well as the person.We will not allow this. For over 50 years, no Muslim has been a part of the production. Why should this be allowed now?”

 

The president of the Ramleela committee in the village, Damodar Prasad Sharma said, “A few members of the Shiv Sena didn’t want a Muslim man to play a character in Ram Leela.” 

“the police told us that we should not let Nawazuddin participate and, if at all we do, and there is a problem during the show, we will have to take responsibility. We were not ready for that, there were just too many people in the audience.”

 

To ensure the peace in his village, Nawazuddin Siddiqui dropped the part. He tweeted that he is positive that he will be back next year. He also posted a rehearsal video of him.

My childhood dream could not come true, but will definitely be a part of Ramleela next year.
Check the rehearsals. pic.twitter.com/euOYSgsm3F

— Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) October 6, 2016

What has not been done in 50 years should be done now, don’t you agree? It is important that we see people as people. Not end up judging them by their last names, caste or religion. At the end of the day we are all Indians, aren’t we?

News Source: Hindustan Times