RAJ KAMAL, artist and illustrator ---

feel what Gurmehar said was proIfound

and right in the broader sense, but if she had said the same thing in a much smarter way, she could have saved herself from all the harassment and trolls on social media.

I agree with Gurmehar that it’s the war which is causing all the misery and spreading hatred between countries. But when you speak of a sensitive issue like war with Pakistan and say that they haven’t killed our soldiers, some people will definitely react.

There is a difference between being wise and being stupid. If you go to China and talk about the rights of Tibet, you will face a backlash. We live in a country where we don’t talk openly about sex and a movie like Lipstick Under My Burkha is banned by censor board for its content. Do you think the right wing will tolerate this? Today, if you ask US President Donald Trump about having a building exclusively for Mexicans, how do you think he would react? Or, if you start praising meat in front of a person belonging to the Jain community, do you think you will be spared?

Gurmehar acted a little immaturely in stating her point. Even I was planning to do a series like, ‘I am an artist but I didn’t draw my sketches, Photoshop did it’. But then, I am not Sehwag the world doesn’t know me. People like him have a huge following and whatever they say is going to make a huge difference. But we tend to never go beyond the celebrity status of these people and forget that they too are human beings. Isliye, Sehwag kuch bi bolega toh log yahi bolenge ‘wow Viru paaji kya bol dia. I think we should not be afraid of openly calling our celebrities a jackass.