We've stopped being receptive to other points of view: Amol Palekar on intolerance

Veteran filmmaker Amol Palekar today spoke about the recent intolerance debate saying that people have stopped accepting a differing point of view.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Kolkata Literature Festival, Palekar said, "We have stopped being receptive to any other point of view. If I can't have a view different from you, then it's not a dialogue, it's a soliloquy. Dialogue means different points of view."

"Just because I don't agree with you doesn't mean I have the right to shut you up," added Palekar.

Asked about the silence of a section of the intellectual community over actor Anupam Kher being denied a visa by Pakistan , Palekar said he was against such attempts to shut anyone's voice.

"I've always condemned any such attempt to shut one's voice. If a play is banned, if a film is stopped, I've always condemned that," added the veteran actor.

Standing by those who have returned awards in protest against 'rising intolerance', Palekar asked, "What's so problematic about it? If an artist feels he can convey his protest by returning his award then let be it."

"Do I have the right to express my dissent? And if do, then do I become an anti-national?" asked the veteran actor-Director.

Palekar reiterated, "If I've done it with the previous government and I've the right to express myself on the present government as well. I expect this freedom to be given to everyone in this country."

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