Satyamev Jayate: A tool for peace?


Satyamev Jayate: A tool for peace?
Aamir Khan: Let a different story be told

Viewers on both sides of the border urge Bollywood star Aamir Khan to explore India- Pakistan Peace on his hit show

By Niamh Harreher

By Niamh Harreher

It has been called India’s equivalent to the Oprah Winfrey show. Now in its third season, Satyamev Jayate (Truth Alone Prevails) boasts a viewership ranging over two million (highest 4.9 million) in India alone. Hosted by Bollywood star, Aamir Khan, the show aims to tackle social issues in India and provide practical ways for people to become engaged in creating broad based change.

The show’s premise is simple and has been received in most quarters as highly effective. The goal is to raise awareness of a variety of hot-button societal ills including female foeticide, “honour” killings, child abuse, rape and domestic violence. Each episode focuses on a specific problem and highlights the actions of those on the front lines working to combat it. The theory is that those watching will then become inspired to become involved in their own communities.

There is no talk of Season Four of the series yet. But if the voices of fans writing to the producers via the website are heard, an episode addressing the issue of peace between India and Pakistan should be a top priority. As one audience member implored, “Aamir Khan if you have not produced a show such as this yet – do it.”

Like other territorial disputes grounded in religious differences — Northern Ireland and Israel- Palestine to name just two examples — the India-Pakistan conflict has so far failed to yield either a political or military solution. Perhaps surprisingly, in the case of a conflict that has persisted for the greater part of a century, for many on both sides of the border, it simply doesn’t resonate: they are critical of a hatred they feel has been foisted upon them. It isn’t one they embrace.

In fact, it is a strongly held desire for peace that viewers are asking to be explored on the program. In the words of a Pakistani viewer, “let’s join hands together, I being Pakistani you being Indian and let’s fight this unseen force that is driving people at both sides to become enemies.”

How encouraging then, that, judging by comments on the website, Satyamev Jayate viewers from both India and Pakistan are turning to a medium readily available to them, popular television, to ask for a different story to be told and different answers provided.

In fact many Pakistani viewers writing into the show have commented that when they watch Satyamev Jayate’s examination of social ills in India, they see many similarities with their own country. As one Pakistani viewer noted “India and Pakistan are facing the same kind of social problems irrespective of religious differences.”

The program’s focus on everyday people reveals that perhaps the neighbours aren’t so different after all.

“I believe if people can attempt to connect, the governments will follow,” commented one viewer.

Let’s hope that the team at Satyamev Jayate seizes this opportunity to be a tool for peace.

Niamh Harraher is an Irish-Canadian, with a law degree and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Toronto. She has practiced law with a focus on children’s rights in Canada and the United Kingdom, has been published in both countries and is currently studying journalism.




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