Sowmyaa, celebrities are human beings too and may feel strongly about any issue. They are also a part of our society and they(if not all) do possess some social awareness and responsibilities. Aamir - the guy who generally cultivates a private persona - coming out and making a strong statement for a cause, in a reasonably well informed manner that has caught attention. He is at the peak of his career, I don't think he needs some stunt to shape his career. His words echo a stand that any citizen of this country would agree with. Resettle the affected families. Not just with cash but by giving them 'land for land'.
Here is the article.
Aamir Khan ko gussa kyun aata hai?
By Rashmi Bansal
'Can Bono save the world', asked Time magazine, when it named the rocker as its 'Man of the Year' in December 2005. Bono shared the honour with Bill Gates and his wife Melinda.
All three were recognised for their efforts towards making the world a better place—the Gates for creating a multi billion dollar foundation which funds projects related to healthcare and education, and Bono for using his star power to raise the world's consciousness about forgotten problems such as poverty in Africa. For being the "rocker who made debt reduction sexy".
A similar description could be used today for Aamir Khan. The "actor who made Narmada rehabilitation sexy". Over the last two days, we've seen more of Aamir on television than we have since the release of Lagaan. And we've heard more about the cause itself—rehabilitation of those displaced by the dam—than ever achieved by Medha Patkar's hunger strikes.
On the one hand, you may argue this shows what a shallow nation we are. That the only time we are willing to look at issues in some distant village, which do not impact our life, is when a celebrity decides to speak up. But the point is every celebrity is a citizen of this country as well. And if the voice of a celebrity can make a difference, it is in fact all the more necessary for that citizen to make that voice heard.
Yes, Arundhati Roy, too, has lent her celebrity status to the Narmada Bachao Andolan. But I like the approach taken by Aamir Khan better. He is not—in principle—opposed to construction of the dam. "I lived in Kutch for six months during the filming of Lagaan," he said in television interviews. "I know the sort of water problems they have. I really wish everyone who needs water gets the water they deserve."
His appeal to the state and Central government is simple. Water from the dam will benefit millions of people. For which a small number must suffer, as their homes and villages will be submerged. Let's say I am willing to accept this sacrifice for the greater common good. But can you please ensure that these displaced people are resettled with dignity?
Dignity means you give not just a cash handout, but resettle the community. The Supreme Court has already directed the respective state governments to ensure that two hectares land are provided per 'major sons' of oustee families. The NBA has alleged that in states like Madhya Pradesh cash is being handed out, instead of 'land for land'. The concern is that cash is not a substitute for 'livelihood'.
I do not know the finer details of the case, and neither does Aamir Khan. But going on a fast and burning posters of Aamir's movies doesn't say much about the knowledge base of our politicians on this issue either.
Why evade the issue if you have nothing to hide? If your rehabilitation policy is working fine, take the media to the villages where displaced people have been settled and clear all doubts. That, in fact, is where the TV cameras should be headed in any case—in search of the affected people. Forget Medha or Aamir… where in the picture are the people they are claiming to speak for?