The latest episode of the show Quantico, starring Priyanka Chopra in its leading role, has hit a raw nerve with many Indians because it has an "Indian nationalist (read: Hindu) as the antagonist.
Predictably, the episode did not go down well. Many 'Right wing ' Indians on Twitter were outraged that a show with an Indian actress in it could paint a Hindu in bad light. The episode is also apparently "pro-Pakistan because for once, the bad guy isn't a Muslim from Pakistan.
Unfortunately, Priyanka Chopra is facing the brunt of the blow. How could she, an Indian Hindu actress, be in an episode that explores the possibility of Hindu terrorism? Doesn't she know that only Muslims can be terrorists?
But Priyanka Chopra never signed on to be an Indian ambassador abroad. She's just a South Asian actress trying to make it in Western film and television. She hasn't shied away from her Indian nationality but neither has she overtly re-affirmed her Indianness since she moved to New York.
Furthermore, Quantico has played dangerously with stereotypes in past episodes: the first season has hijab-clad women who are double agents. Why didn't that upset Indian nationalists?
The default mode for most Indians now is that if you're critical of India, the only logical conclusion is that you're a fan of Pakistan. This reductive thought process kills any kind of healthy debate, which should be happening in a democracy.
The argument that Chopra should not have acted in an episode that offends Hindutva pride also falls flat, because at the end of the day she is the lead actress on a show that has truly helped to cement her place in American pop culture.
Book Talk
Indian Idol 16
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Anupamaa
12