“There are no victors in war – only victims. The Message of the new millennium is clear Learn to co-exist Man in peace! Or else perish.”
- DILIP KUMAR

The Thespian and the legendary darling of the nation had taken permission of the concerned authorities in India before accepting the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Nishan-e-Pakistan) Award. As he said:
“It was not conferred on Dilip Kumar the Actor for his acting prowess. It was given to me for whatever little credibility I enjoyed for my work in the socio-civic field for causes of the poor which were not bound by region or religion, caste or creed, which crossed all barriers.”
With the Kargil crisis looming large over the Indo-Pak relations and the “Bus Diplomacy” of the NDA Government in the doldrums, little did Dilip Kumar realize that he would be sucked into the vortex of a tamasha that would endanger his safety as well as the safety of the members of his family, what with all sectarian and communal forces bullying him into returning the Award. One failed to understand what the Kargil conflict had to do with this Award and how was this Award different from any other awards given to Dilip Kumar by other nations. Centuries ago, Dr. Samuel Johnson had stated: “Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel” – and here was the Shiv Sena’s demand that Dilip Kumar return this Award to “prove he is a true Indian.” It was the courage of his conviction in the face of this personal crisis and the overwhelming odds and how he emerged triumphant by obeying only the dictates of his conscience in retaining the Nishan-e-Imtiaz Award, especially at a time when his physical conditions were at the lowest ebb, with his having recently undergone a major heart surgery that has made Dilip Kumar the real-life hero as well.

Not finding much support in Mumbai, Dilip Kumar rushed to New Delhi to meet the then BJP Prime Minister of the NDA Government, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee. It is not as if his visit to New Delhi was without protests. The hotel where the Thespian stayed was virtually turned into a fortress with heavy deployment of armed personnel, including women constabulary. The Shiv Sena there had been demonstrating outside this hotel and shouting slogans against the Tragedy King. They too wanted him to return the said Award. At this time, about twenty (20) activists of the Student Federation of India (SFI) clashed with the Sainiks whose supporters paraded Dilip Kumar’s effigy on a donkey and later set it on fire. The SFI activists were now joined by the Congress and the Janata Dal workers who held the Sainiks back. Dilip Kumar requested the Centre to put an end to the volatile situation and expressed his concern that when the Shiv Sena could hold violent protests in Delhi which is the seat of Central Administration what would they be capable of in their citadel of Mumbai!

Meanwhile, in the Mumbai edition of THE TIMES OF INDIA (sometime in mid-July 1999) the Editorial entitled PATRIOT GAMES condemned the bullying game of the Shiv Sena. It stated that the Nishan-e-Pakistan was given to Dilip Kumar in recognition for his “immense contribution to the Cinema and popular culture in the sub-continent.” At that time Mr. Vajpayee was of the view that this honour would help foster amity and goodwill between India and Pakistan. Ridiculing the attempts by some political parties to force Dilip Kumar to return the Award, the editorial also pointed out that it will not be long before we are told that it is unpatriotic to read Faiz and Manto, listen to Abida Parveen and Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and maybe even to speak Sindhi. It might have well added to the list the names of Malika-e-Tarannum, Noor Jehan, Mahdi Hasan and Ghulam Ali, whose works in the relevant fields are very popular in India.

Further, in the meantime at Mumbai, the Cine and TV Artistes Association condemned the sustained slandering and maligning of Dilip Kumar by the Shiv Sena. Also, the activists of the National Youth Congress went on a one-day token strike at Azad Maidan. Their banners and placards read:

DILIP KUMAR MUMBAI KI SHAAN,
PYAAR KARE SAARA HINDUSTAN.

The activists appealed to Dilip Kumar that he should not succumb to the “communal forces” and he should not return his Nishan-e-Imtiaz Award.

The BJP constituent of the NDA Government were fully aware that Dilip Kumar was not the first recipient of the Nishan-e-Pakistan Award. Much before, Morarji Desai who was the Prime Minister of a coalition government had also been given that Award. The Sangh Parivar was an important part of that government and neither they nor the Shiv Sena then had objected to the Award at that time. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) therefore, opposed the calls by the Shiv Sena and other political parties who wanted the Thespian to return the Nishan-e-Imtiaz. VHP President, Mr. Vishnu Hari Dalmia stated that it was a matter of pride for us that a fellow Indian was given the highest civilian award by a foreign government. He minced no words when he said about Dilip Kumar:

“He is an Indian to his finger-tips. Does he need to prove his patriotism by returning the award which has nothing to do with the ongoing conflict in Kashmir. Since the award is about his personal accomplishments, why negate his contributions?”

Ultimately, the BJP left it to Dilip Kumar whether to retain or return the Award. The then party General-Secretary, Narendra Modi said: “It is best left to the wisdom of Dilip Kumar.”

Dilip Kumar finally met the Prime Minister who told him:

“Nobody should doubt your patriotism and your commitment to the nation.”

Mr. Vajpayee made it clear that no one should put any pressure on Dilip Kumar who has served the nation throughout his long film career. He also told Dilip Kumar:

It is your Award. Do whatever you wish to do with it. The government has no objection.”

Thereafter, the Bollywood Legend also met with the then President of India, Mr. K.R. Narayanan and apprized him of his talks with the Prime Minister. He met the Vice-President, Mr. Krishna Kant as well. Dilip Kumar expressed the hope that he would be allowed to stay peacefully in Mumbai. The Union Home Minister asked Mr. Rane to beef up the security of the Thespian at Mumbai.

Dilip Kumar finally returned to Mumbai on 16th July, 1999 with his wife, Saira Banu.
Saira Banu said that she saw no reason why her husband should return the Award. She explained to the reporters that the said Award as given to Dilip Kumar for excellence in the field of art for his contribution in social work and community service and for spreading peace and harmony among the peoples, cutting across religions and ethnic differences. She, too, said that the conflict in Kargil had nothing to do with the going-ons in Kargil. She felt that the issue was being given a communal colour and asked why after having lived all their lives Mumbai they were being asked to prove that they are Indians. She parried: Was it because they were born Muslims? Other communities were not asked to prove their loyalty. She stated that Dilip Kumar was being targeted only because of his religion.

Dilip Kumar, the Brave-Heart and darling of the Indian nation, said that he could sacrifice anything for India. “After all,” he responded, “What’s an award? All that one possesses can be laid down for one’s country and its prestige. Anything can be sacrificed.” He also lost no time in sending a cheque for Rs.1,00,000/- (One Lakh Rupees) in response to an appeal by a daily, MIDDAY, for the Army Central Welfare Fund. The covering letter, attached to the cheque, read:

“For the most worthy cause Midday has espoused, herewith is my humble contribution for the valiant Jawaans and Officers for their supreme sacrifice in the name and for the honour of their motherland – their country.”

It is painful and strange that Dilip Kumar whose film career began with Jwar-Bhata in 1944 and whose fore-fathers did business in India, particularly in Bombay City, should be looked upon with suspicion and subjected to the ignominy of proving that he is a patriot. The star of SHAHEED, LEADER, NAYA DAUR AND KARMA [b]and many other movies whose objectives have always been to cultivate patriotism, pro-establishment culture, family values and the like in reel life, as well as philanthropy, and perfection in all fields in real life, is undoubtedly the inspirer of generations of actors and the general populace. He deserves the Bharat Ratna as well. Any doubts?

NASIR ALI.