Country is witnessing hyper-nationalism today: Shabana Azmi

November 25, 2017 19:30

Veteran actor Shabana Azmi today said the country is seeing episodes of hyper-nationalism and although the phenomenon was not novel, people need to be alarmed about it.

The 67-year-old actor said that understanding the difference between nationalism and patriotism was the need of the hour.

"Patriotism concerns itself with the lives of the people in this geographical entity and also concerns with improving their lot. So you can continue to be very patriotic and still be critical about certain issues in the society. In no way, does it make you unpatriotic," Azmi said.

"But what we are seeing now (in the country) is hyper-nationalism. And that is something to be alarmed about. It has always existed. (And) Culture and arts are always attacked first because the country's image is defined by what they represent," she added.

The actor was addressing the panel discussion on 'Nationalism and Arts' at the Times Litfest, along with noted lyricist husband Javed Akhtar.

-- PTI

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