Readers tell us if Om Puri insulted Indian Army martyrs by supporting Pak artists

After Salman Khan and Nasiruddin Shah, it was the turn of veteran actor Om Puri to inject some volatility into the madhouse that's Indian national discourse.

When asked if he supported the Pakistani artists such as Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan, Atif Aslam, among others at a time when the country is reeling under the aftermath of Uri attack and has given a "befitting reply" in the form of the September 29 surgical strike, the ace Bollywood actor said that no one forced the armymen to join the armed forces, and while he fully respected their role, taking it out on artists is a bad idea.

One of India's greatest actors, Puri's comment on martyrdom of Indian soldiers has caused an uproar in the social and mainstream media. The 65-year-old actor recently, was part of a televised debate about the IMPPA's (Indian Motion Pictures Producers' Association) sine die ban on Pakistan artists from working in India on various projects, of course under valid work visas issued by Government of India.

While IMPPA's ban was a reaction to the Uri attack, Puri reiterated the point that the two aspects were incomaparable.

"Who had asked the soldiers to join the army? Who told them to pick the weapons?" Puri said, in his momentary brush with belligerence.

Along with Om Puri, filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor also came out in support of Pakistani actors, saying art and politics should be kept separate and banning the artists will not change the situation.

Puri meanwhile added Pakistani artists were working legally in India, and in case they are not allowed to work, the industry will suffer losses to the tune of crores and the Indian producers, who have signed them for their films, will incur financial loss.

"When the government is taking an action, we all should stay quiet. It hardly matters if we send back the artists from Pakistan, who are working here, or let them stay. I have been to Pakistan six times and have met people from all strata," Puri had said.

"I have always received love and warmth. If the Pakistani actors leave the projects they are doing here in middle, then people in India (filmmakers) will also face financial loss. Hence, this is insignificant. The actors have not come here through any illegal way. They have valid visa. But, if the government will ask them to leave, then it is different," he added.

As a result, a police complaint has been filed against Om Puri!

Does it sound all that outlandish? We opened up the debate to our readers and there are many divergent responses.

We give you some of the best of the lot.

DailyO readers weigh in:

Indradeep Bhadra: I think that taking the service boots of the martyred soldier slapped against the cheeks of Om Puri will be a proper salute and respect for the soldier who sacrificed his life to protect us.

Satya Upadhyay: Everybody is entitled to an opinion, no matter how divergent it is. While army does its job even at odds with all other institutions of our democratic country, it's the responsibility of citizens to ensure respect and thanksgiving towards soldiers. It's laughable to say that we didn't force them to fight for nation or join army, at the same time the soldiers didn't force someone to become fidayeen and breach the national security. Om Puri is a learned and staunch liberal but the manner in which he entered the debate was not well suited to contextual reality.

Momin Arif: A vs B, this vs that is the policy of current regime whose entire diplomacy lies on divisiveness. No room for disagreement at all. Till this sickness will not be cured such idiotic debates will keep happening so that no one remembers where that promised development is. #EnjoyAchheDin

Wârdà Mãlîk: Bravo to Salman Khan, Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri for taking a stand on peace and sanity in front of the war-mongering Indian media and government. I am PROUD of the fact that we Pakistanis have never disrespected our Indian guests and artists even at a time of conflict. And by the way, Congress leaders are demanding proof of Surgical Strike from the terrorist Modi Govt, hope people of India will wake up to this surgical stupidity of Modi very soon. #FreeKashmir

Bala Ramakrishnan:  Not sure. We should not give importance to film personalities' utterances. Who are they?

Kartikay Vijayvargiya: He talked like an anti-nationalist. He supported Pakistanis. Said: "Who has told the armymen to join army?" Foolish person. Shift him to a mental hospital in Pakistan... he deserves that only.

Ch Shabbir Ahmed: He talked like a man of peace. Indian Army said they did strike. Pakistan said yes there was LoC firing but not strike. Our two army jawan [ended up] dead. And then Pakistan reply to India was you started it. Puri saab said don't fight, it's not in anyone's favour. And if an army jawan is dead, then it happens on a routine baiss, everyday you kill theirs, they kill yours.

Kavita Jitani: People who indulge in corruption while buying coffins for martyred soldiers, who buy sub-standard ammunition and equipment, people who misroute funds meant for welfare of our soldiers are the real traitors.

Vivek Sahu: Arvind Kejriwal: Support PM on surgical strikes, however there's need to counter propaganda by Pakistan regarding surgical strikes.

Pak media interpretation: Arvind Kejriwal questions authenticity of surgical strikes.

Indian media interpretation of Pak media interpretation: Arvind Kejriwal a hero in Pakistan media for questioning authenticity of surgical strikes. Arvind Kejriwal is doing politics over India's security.

Bhakt interpretation of Indian Media interpretation of Pak media interpretation: Arvind Kejriwal speaks the same language as Hafeez Saeed.Meanwhile, BJP is happily putting up bill boards from UP to Goa to show how Modi single handedly led the surgical strikes and that supposedly is not politicising surgical strikes.

Seriously, we live in bizarre times.

[You can read the full thread on our Facebook page.]

Watch video: Pakistan artists soft target? Bollywood divided on art's bearing on terrorism