DR Pervez Hoodbhoy was spot on while delivering the keynote address at the 7th Karachi Literature Festival, when he described the prevailing hopelessness in Pakistan and India, thanks to these countries’ mind fixation on the past. Every nation loves its past but at the same time must learn lessons from it as weIl.

In the case of these two arch-rival neighbours, they are hooked on to a questionable so-called glorious past, not letting them to move forward. To me, it appears to be a competition to prove to what extent of stupidity they can go. By sticking to religious extremism both countries are not serving their masses who need food, shelter, education, security and a better future.

As if the wave of intolerance was not subsiding against Aamir Khan for merely highlighting the growing intolerance in society, a court in India has accepted a plea against the other two King Khans of Bollywood -- Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan -- for wearing shoes in a temple on the sets of TV reality show ‘Big Boss’.

Why can’t it be understood that it was not a real temple, but a set assembled on the stage to shoot a few scenes for the show. But, as said, common sense is the least common commodity among most people. This extended influence of religion to fan hatred among masses took me to the 70s when in a TV drama a Pakistani actor divorced the actress who was playing his wife’s role.

Both were a lovely couple in real life. Religious scholars created a scene in the media declaring that the couple was now separated, no more husband and wife. That was the ‘70s; now in 2016 everyone knows to which direction these two countries have moved to -- questioning ordinary people if they have eaten beef, claiming India invented planes thousands of years back!

No one can help people who sell and buy religion to make a living.

M. Khan

Jubail

Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2016