A leading humorous poet and head of the Hindustani Academy in India talks about his desire for peace between his country and Pakistan
By Raja Zahid A. Khanzada
Sunil Jogi, a humorous poet from Uttar Pradesh, India, was recently in Dallas, Texas, to participate in an Urdu-Hindi mushaira held here recently, where he held the audience enthralled with his witticisms and poetry.
I caught up with him afterwards for an exchange of views on India-Pakistan relations. Dr Jogi, 42, who obtained his PhD in Hindi from the prestigious Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi, is Chairman of the prestigious autonomous Hindustani Academy, revived earlier this year after a gap of nearly two decades. Founded in 1927 with Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru as its first chairman, it propagated Hindi and Urdu, giving awards to litterateurs in recognition for their contributions to Hindi and Urdu.
The lively young poet has served as a private secretary to India’s Parliamentary Speaker but refuses to take part in television debates and talk shows because “they increase hatred,” as he says.
The lively young poet has served as a private secretary to India’s Parliamentary Speaker but refuses to take part in television debates and talk shows because “they increase hatred,” as he says.
He participates frequently in mushairas in India and abroad, up to two dozen a month, he estimates. This takes a toll on his family life; he misses spending time with his two-year old daughter, but it is a sacrifice he gladly gives.
He wants to see everyone smiling and to see love in everyone’s hearts, regardless of caste or religion. About India and Pakistan he says, “We are brothers and sisters, closer than friends. We have boundaries but this will not break our relationship. Those boundaries are about politics but the thing to realise is that when a terrorist strikes he doesn’t see how many Hindus died and how many Muslims, how many Christians or Sikhs.”
Asked about the impression in Pakistan that Indian political leaders don’t want friendship with Pakistan, he firstly dispels the notion that he himself is a politician.
“I am a poet, writer and human being. As far as politics is concerned, there will always some people who will foster hatred for their own vested interests otherwise ‘their shop will close’. If the masses send them the clear message that this won’t work, they will change their behaviour. The divisions come from terrorists, mullahs and pundits, although we also have good pundits and mullahs. We all know what is right and wrong, all religions want peace.”
He believes that the people have the power to change such politicians. “The media are the most powerful resource and can play a role in bringing peace to the region,” he says, but unfortunately their focus is on power politics and disturbances rather than giving voice to those who want peace and friendship.
What about the impression that India doesn’t want friendship with Pakistan, especially after the Indian Foreign Secretary cancelled talks at the last minute recently?
“Please do not get this impression, because that person belongs to one party,” he responds. “This is not the voice of all the Indian people. India means all the people in India, not only the government or some political parties. If someone gets 25 per cent of the vote they can become PM but what about 75 per cent who didn’t vote for them, more then half the people in India don’t vote anyway.” Prime Minister Modi’s electoral win, he believes, was due to his development agenda as much as the people’s disenchantment with a decade of inept rule by the Congress.
“When the price of onions rose from Rs 5 to Rs 80, people were angered. They are not blind,” adds Dr Joshi. “They can see that the village farmer gets Rs 5 price for his tomatoes that are being sold at Rs 80. Unemployment was the highest it had been in ten years.
People want change and Modi’s party reaped the benefit. He did not win because of being against Muslims or Pakistan. The people did not vote for or against Muslims or Pakistan.
“If Modi works more than 18 hours a day for the nation, I’ll salute him. If be builds a road or provides electricity and other utilities, they are for everyone, not for Hindus or Muslims.”
How can we bring India and Pakistan closer?
“We must give a message of peace, which will bring more opportunities. I really want to go to Pakistan,” he says. “If I can come to the United States why can I not go to my neighboring country?
If I am invited to Pakistan, I will surely go.”
“The United States or China are not going to resolve our problems,” he adds. “We have to do it ourselves, a billion people in India, 180 million in Pakistan, 140 million in Bangladesh. If we come together, nothing can come between us. Everyone should be able to go and participate in programmes in Lahore, Delhi, Kashmir, exchange sweets at joyous occasions…”
He urges the India and Pakistan governments to encourage people who want peace and love to visit each other’s country. “Let’s invite Bollywood stars, poets, songwriters, to spread this message and work together against terrorism.”
The writer has an MBA, and Masters in Political Science and Sociology. He is a correspondent for Jang and Geo, based in Texas, USA. Email: [email protected]
