The controversy which sparked in Uttar Pradesh largely by the name of ‘Love Jihad’, saw many political parties openly debating on it, while some outfits used it as a ploy for gaining mileage in the bypolls. Seldom did we hear a celebrity speaking on an issue which literally raged and angered the nation.
Saif wrote an insightful article about the theory of ‘love jihad’. The whole issue revolves against the practice of marrying outside one’s religion while Saif feels that intermarriage has very much become a part of India now.
His own father was a Muslim who married a Hindu – Sharmila Tagore while Saif himself married Randhir Kapoor’s younger daughter. Saif wrote, “When Kareena and I married, there were similar death threats, with people on the Net saying ridiculous things about “love jihad”. We follow whatever religion or spiritual practice we believe in. We talk about them and respect each other’s views. I hope our children will do the same.”
“I have prayed in church and attended mass with Kareena, while she has bowed her head at dargahs and prayed in mosques. When we purified our new home, we had a havan and a Quran reading and a priest sprinkling holy water — no chances taken!
The suave actor opined that how people misunderstand Islam, and twist it according to their own ulterior motives.
Talking about interreligious marriages and ‘love-jihad’, Saif writes, “The fabric of India is woven from many threads — English, Muslim, Hindu and many others. A major concern in today’s India is that we keep deleting our past. To say Muslims don’t have a role in India is denying their importance and contribution. It is like saying women don’t have a part to play in India. Why do we need to deny Islam? It’s what we are. We come with our mix. To deny this is to cheat us of our inheritance. I don’t know what “love jihad” is. It is a complication created in India. I know intermarriages because I am a child of one and my children are born out of it. Intermarriage is not jihad. Intermarriage is India.”
Its refreshing to have an A- lister like Saif talking about such a sensitive issue with such honesty. Its up to the stars to set an example and Saif is doing exactly that.