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Journalism of Courage
In 2023, when Vir Das released the video of performing a monologue/poem titled Two Indias, shot during one of his shows in the United States of America, all hell had broken loose. The actor-comedian faced heavy backlash and even police complaints against him, for many people outraged saying the poem defamed India.
Recently, Dr Dhruv Chauhan (@DrDhruvchauhan), an X user, shared a video where Major Gurbant Singh’s fiancée––Ankita Pradhan––described the distressing experience of molestation and physical abuse at the hands of Odisha Police. He shared the video writing, “When Vir Das said about Two India’s I criticised him thinking he shouldn’t have said that in foreign country. I am sorry. He was right.”
“We are doomed as a country and now I can relate with everyone who is shifting abroad!” the doctor wrote in his X post. Responding to this, Das wrote: “Doctor, I’d like to humbly clarify something. I get fifty of these messages every day saying ‘he was right’. Whether I am right or not doesn’t matter, much like where you are when you speak to your audience. What matters is THAT we speak. Truly loving your country means praising it and also acknowledging its shortcomings. It’s easy to pretend, and deny, to cheat thump and preserve reputation.”
Das also wrote, “Real patriotism requires hard conversations. I do not think India is doomed. I do not live abroad. I live here. With more and more people each day who are opening up to conversation. The very fact that more and more people are talking about these issues is a reason to be optimistic. Because I remember a few years ago when they didn’t.”
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Das’s post went viral since, attracting over 100,000 views and more than 3,000 likes. Many people are also engaging in the comments section. Chauhan replied to Das’s post, saying, “Much appreciated, when I said it’s “doomed” I meant with the justice. A place where justice is the most expensive thing, the people will definitely feel poor!”
Many supported Das and appreciated his words. One user wrote, “Very well said Vir.” Another user wrote, “Very rightly said. When we love something, we give productive criticism so that we make that place or person a better thing.” A third user commented, “Appreciate the honesty. Never agree with you but on this one will surely!”
